Residents of the Swedish city of Kiruna watched in awe as their beloved century-old church began a rare and carefully orchestrated move to a new location five kilometers away.

According to BBC, the 113-year-old Kiruna Church is being transported in one piece due to ground instability caused by extensive iron ore mining beneath the city's original center.

Built in 1912, the red-timber Kiruna Church is one of Sweden’s most revered buildings, once named the most beautiful pre-1950 structure in the country. Its relocation marks a historic moment for the Arctic city, located 145 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. The move is part of an expansive redevelopment caused by more than a century of mining-related ground shifts.

The journey of the 672-tonne structure began with a solemn blessing from church vicar Lena Tjärnberg and Bishop Åsa Nyström of the Diocese of Luleå. As the self-propelled modular transporters crept forward at under 500 meters per hour, crowds gathered to witness a process that had become a national spectacle. The event is being broadcast live on Swedish television in a format known as “slow TV.”

The church is being moved intact, preserving its 35-meter height and 40-meter width. Inside, scaffolding shields its historic interior, which includes a cherished altar painting by Prince Eugen and a thousand-pipe organ—both secured and stabilized to prevent damage during the move. Engineers and cultural officials say moving the church whole, rather than demolishing it, underscores its deep emotional and historical value.

Extraordinary Road Preparations Enable the Move

Project leaders began planning the complex operation years ago, ensuring no detail was left to chance. According to Stefan Holmblad Johansson, the project manager overseeing the move, preparing the road was a particular challenge. The route had to be widened to 24 meters to accommodate the church’s large footprint.

In preparation for the move, workers removed lamp-posts, traffic lights, and even demolished an old bridge that stood in the transport path. The first hour of the move saw the church advance only 30 meters, with the full move expected to span two days and conclude by Wednesday evening. Weather conditions have remained favorable, adding to the project's smooth execution.

Kjell Olovsson, a project manager with construction company Veidekke, expressed excitement on-site, celebrating the culmination of years of preparation. “I'm thrilled and just enjoying the moment,” he noted, highlighting the emotion that permeated the operation. Engineers emphasized there was no room for error throughout the complex procedure.

Public Response Reflects Cultural Significance

For many residents and visitors, the church’s journey represents more than a logistical achievement. Sofia Lagerlöf Määttä, a culture strategist, described the experience as watching history unfold. Locals expressed gratitude and admiration for the effort to move the church whole, instead of dismantling it.

Lena Edkvist, who came from Gothenburg to witness the procession, said that even though she doesn’t attend church often, the building’s preservation was important. “It feels like an honour,” she said, adding that the relocation preserved the tradition and cultural identity of the area. Her sentiments echo those of many in the community who have long viewed the church as a symbol of Kiruna’s spirit.

According to Tjärnberg, the church is “leaving a place where it truly belongs.” While she acknowledged sorrow in departing from the original location, she emphasized appreciation that the building will continue to serve the spiritual needs of the relocated community. The church has been a central gathering place for generations.

The Wider Scope of Kiruna's Transformation

The church’s move is part of a multilayered effort to save Kiruna from the long-term effects of subterranean mining. Though ground fissures do not pose immediate danger to life, they threaten the integrity of water, electrical, and sewage systems, according to developer Robert Ylitalo. He confirmed the relocation must occur before critical infrastructure begins to fail.

Swedish law forbids mining directly under existing structures, prompting Kiruna’s slow but massive relocation. In addition to the church, several landmarks have already been moved, including portions of Hjalmar Lundbohmsgården and the old city hall’s clock tower. Structures deemed less significant were demolished and rebuilt in the new city center.

The cost of the vast urban relocation exceeds 10 billion Swedish krona, funded entirely by LKAB, the state-owned mining company and Kiruna’s largest employer. The company originally built the church and now bears the cost of preserving the city’s history in the face of geological realities.

Preserving Memory and Heritage Beyond the Move

Holmblad Johansson, who is also a choir member at the church, said this relocation holds special personal meaning. He emphasized that the church was originally built by LKAB for Kiruna and that moving it to the new city was the only acceptable choice. “There simply can't be any other way,” he said.

The cultural weight of the event has touched many, with memories of weddings, funerals, and daily life embedded in the church’s structure. Sofia Lagerlöf Määttä spoke of joy and sorrow stirred by the relocation, saying these collective memories are being carried into the future with the church itself.

While the slow progress of the move has required patience, the community has responded with reverence and pride. The unprecedented journey of the church has become both a technical marvel and a national symbol of perseverance and respect for heritage. As Kiruna transforms, its spirit—and its steeple—move forward together.