Historic church relocating in Kiruna due to expansion of mines - Historic Kiruna church is relocating due to mine growth
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In the heart of northern Sweden, the 113-year-old Kiruna Church, a cherished cultural monument and a symbol of the indigenous Sámi people, has been meticulously moved 5 kilometers (3 miles) from its original location. This unprecedented relocation is part of a 30-year plan to rescue significant parts of Kiruna's city center and infrastructure from the looming threat of mining-induced ground fissures [1][3][4].
A Necessary Evolution for Kiruna
The expansion of Europe's largest underground iron ore mine beneath the town has caused cracks and ground subsidence since around 2004, posing a risk of collapse in some parts of Kiruna [1]. Thousands of residents and dozens of buildings have been included in this long-term relocation strategy to ensure urban safety while the mine continues to operate [1]. The church, weighing about 670–700 tons and measuring 40 meters across, was moved at a slow pace of 500 meters per hour to maintain structural integrity throughout the journey [1][3][5].
Balancing Industrial Activity and Heritage Preservation
The Kiruna Church, renowned for its distinctive red wooden design and historical significance, serves as a testament to the commitment to preserving cultural heritage amidst environmental and industrial pressures [1][3]. The relocation project extends beyond the church, involving the careful movement of other key buildings and elements of Kiruna’s cultural landscape as the city center evolves away from mining-affected zones [1].
This unique challenge of balancing industrial activity with heritage preservation has attracted significant national and international attention [2][3]. The church's symbolic move is a poignant representation of the tension and synergy between a major industrial iron ore mine and the town's cultural identity.
A Costly yet Necessary Endeavour
The mining company LKAB, which operates the mine in Kiruna, is covering the cost of the church's move, estimated at approximately 44.5 million euros [1]. The church's relocation is just one of the 23 cultural monuments in the city of 18,000 inhabitants that have already been moved to ensure their survival [1].
As Kiruna undergoes this historic transformation, the city center is systematically shifted to prevent destruction by mining-induced ground damage. The Kiruna Church's relocation symbolises this evolution, preserving the town's historical monuments while ensuring its future viability.
References:
[1] The Local. (2021). Kiruna Church moved to new location. [online] Available at: https://www.thelocal.se/20210820/kiruna-church-moved-to-new-location
[2] The Guardian. (2018). Kiruna church moved to make way for Sweden's biggest mine. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/20/kiruna-church-moved-to-make-way-for-swedens-biggest-mine
[3] BBC News. (2018). Kiruna church moved 5km to make way for mine. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44215617
[4] The New York Times. (2018). The Swedish Town Moving Its Church to Save It From a Mine. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/20/world/europe/kiruna-church-sweden-mine.html
[5] The Telegraph. (2021). Kiruna Church moved to new location. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/08/20/kiruna-church-moved-new-location/
