A 113-year-old church in Kiruna, in northern Sweden, will embark on a two-day relocation starting on Tuesday (August 19) to a new site nearly two miles away to make way for the expansion of the world's biggest underground iron ore mine.

Kiruna

Kiruna, an Arctic town in Sweden, is relocating its 113-year-old wooden church nearly two miles to make way for the expansion of the world's largest underground iron ore mine. The move, which follows a year of preparations, is part of a broader city relocation project prompted by ground subsidence caused by mining activities.

The church, recognized as Sweden's most beautiful building, will be transported intact on trucks. The project, led by state-owned mining company LKAB, involves moving about 3,000 homes and 6,000 residents, as well as several public and commercial buildings. While some structures are being rebuilt, others, like the church, are being preserved and relocated. The entire city relocation is expected to be completed by 2035.

Swedish Arctic town to move iconic church to expand iron ore mine

This 113-year-old church in Sweden will embark on a two-day relocation on Tuesday to a new site almost two miles away. Ground subsidence in Kiruna caused by the expansion of the world's largest underground iron ore mine has forced much of the Arctic City to move. Named Sweden's most beautiful building, the over 130-feet-wide wooden church will be transported on trucks after a year of preparatory work including road widening. The three-decade city relocation project has seen several key structures, including the fire station and the home of the city's founder, move to the new site. The church's pastor, Lina Tjahn Burdi, believes the church's move is an important milestone. I think it's very important. I said that the church is Kiruna's soul in some way and in some way it's a safe place. It's a place you can come wherever you are. So it's very important that it's moving. But I think people also feel sad because we have to leave this place. It's like you can see the church everywhere in Kiruna. So I think it's like a sad and a happy day for everyone. The mine, operated by state-owned LKAB, dates back to the 1890s, with tunnels extending over 4,000 feet below the surface. LKAB estimates that around 3,000 homes and 6,000 residents, along with multiple public and commercial buildings, will need to relocate. While some structures will be demolished and rebuilt, others, like the church, will be transported intact. As part of the move, hundreds of new homes, shops and a city hall have been constructed, with the entire project slated for completion by 2035.

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