Date: 19–20 August 2025
Over two intensive days Kiruna Church was carefully moved to its new location between the cemetery and the city’s new center. The move, part of the extensive urban transformation of Kiruna, was carried out according to plan and without complications.
A Historic Move Completed as Planned
The church, which weighs 672.4 tons and measures 40 meters in width, was transported in its entirety over two days, from 19–20 August, along a specially adapted five-kilometer-long route.
The relocation of Kiruna Church is not only a major engineering achievement, but also an important cultural and community milestone, ensuring that this unique landmark can continue to be a living part of Kiruna’s future cityscape.
Watch the Move Again
Relive the historic move of Kiruna Church through the recorded live broadcasts:
Why Is the Church Being Moved?
In 2004, LKAB informed the municipal management in Kiruna that it was necessary to move the then town center.
The decision was made as mining was to descend to a new main level of 1365 meters below ground – a necessity to enable continued mining operations in a safe and sustainable manner.
After extensive work together with Kiruna Municipality and the County Administrative Board, it was determined that Kiruna Church and its belfry lie inside the affected area and would be impacted by the mining.
Kiruna Church is a cultural monument. This means that there are special laws, regulations and requirements to comply with during both the design and implementation of the move. LKAB maintains continuous dialogue with Kiruna Pastorate, the County Administrative Board and Kiruna Municipality ahead of and during the move.
The Church’s New Location
The church’s new location has been carefully chosen, in dialogue with the municipality and county administrative board, and is situated between the cemetery and the new Kiruna city center.
The ambition is to achieve a similar feeling and character to the original setting. Buildings moved from Björkbacken will be placed to mimic the familiar environment around the church and vicarage.
Following a decision from the church council, the church will be rotated 180 degrees at its new site. While a common rule of thumb is that the choir with its altar should face east, Kiruna Church will, after the move, belong to the group of churches where the choir faces west.
This is inspired by the traditional folk church, which aims to be open and accessible to everyone, often with its entrance facing the city, the people, and the congregation.
Questions and Answers
Some of the key questions surrounding the move of Kiruna Church include:
- Why is the church being moved whole?
- What does the church weigh?
- What will happen to the current church site?
- Are there examples of similar church moves in the past?
- Can this move serve as an example for future projects?
- How long will the church be closed and where can visitors go during this time?
- How do you take the emotional aspect into consideration?
For more detailed answers and continuous updates, please contact Kiruna Municipality, Kiruna Pastorate, or LKAB’s information channels.
