World’s eyes on Kiruna Church move in Sweden

It’s not often that specialized transport gets the attention of the world but, today and tomorrow (19 and 20 August), millions of people around the world are following the slow transport of an entire church across the northern Swedish town of Kiruna. The eye-catching move is being carried out by Mammoet, working with lead contractor Veidekke.

The two-day transport, at the rate of 500 metres an hour, will see the 600 tonne, 40 metre wide Kiruna Church moved 5 km across town. The project is part of a wide ranging effort to relocate many cultural and important structures in the town because of mine workings at LKAB’s iron ore mine in the city.

So far, 23 cultural buildings have been relocated, and the church is the largest.

“This is an important and carefully planned move, and we are approaching the finish line”, said Stefan Holmblad Johansson, project manager for the church relocation at LKAB.

Kees Breedveld, an engineer with Mammoet, shows a remote control panel of the SPMT being used to relocate the Kiruna church. (Photo: Reuters/Leonhard Foeger)

“The church is truly unique and means a lot to many people beyond just being a landmark of Kiruna, and we want to give everyone the opportunity to follow and be a part of this historic event”.

Veidekke has been commissioned to relocate the church and its bell tower and is also responsible for constructing the relocation route as well as performing groundwork and infrastructure tasks, including laying the foundation for the church at its new site. 

“It’s a very inspiring and honoured task to take care of these buildings that are so dear to everyone’s hearts,” said Mathias Rönnholm, regional manager of Veidekke Anläggning Nord.

The transport can be followed here live.