Historisk kirke flyttes grunnet gruvedrift

The Kiruna Kirke Relocation Project involves moving the historic Kiruna church, a wooden structure dating back to 1912, located in Kiruna, a small mining town in northern Sweden. The relocation is necessary due to unstable ground conditions caused by extensive mining activities carried out by LKAB, which threaten the stability and preservation of the church. LKAB and construction company Veidekke are collaborating closely on this complex and high-profile project, which was initially designed in 2017 and saw physical construction beginning in January 2024.

Stor bygg- og flyttejobb med Veidekke

The project entails moving the church building, which measures approximately 40 by 40 meters and weighs around 600 tons, with the entire transport assembly (including beams and other materials) totaling about 1250 tons. To facilitate the relocation, a new 5-kilometer-long and 24-meter-wide road is being constructed. Veidekke is working within a cooperative contract framework with LKAB, enabling them to price and handle various project elements progressively. In addition to the church move, Veidekke is responsible for relocating 12 other cultural buildings and conducting groundwork for roads, water, and sewage systems for Kiruna’s new city center. The company brings significant experience from large-scale projects, especially in tunnel construction for mining companies.

Over 20 års planlegging forflytting

This monumental relocation is the culmination of over 20 years of planning, reflecting the importance placed on preserving the church both as an architectural masterpiece-often described as Sweden's most beautiful church-and as a cultural heritage symbol closely tied to Kiruna's identity as a mining town. The careful move, scheduled for August 19 and 20, 2025, will help safeguard the building from damage related to mining subsidence while allowing continued use as a tourist attraction and community gathering place.

Kulturell bevaring og industrisikkerhet

The project represents a significant engineering challenge and stands as an intersection between preserving cultural heritage and managing the environmental and safety risks posed by industrial activity. By relocating the church and other historical buildings, the project aims to protect Kiruna’s cultural landmarks while accommodating ongoing industrial development and urban transformation in the region.