KIRUNA CHURCH
The Kiruna Church in northern Sweden is one of the country’s most admired wooden buildings. Famous for its distinctive architecture and deep cultural roots, the church has recently become world-famous for another reason—it went on a historic journey, travelling several kilometres to a new location to ensure its safety. This remarkable event has made Kiruna Church a symbol of heritage, engineering, and preservation.
A Glimpse into History: Built between 1909 and 1912, Kiruna Church stands as one of Sweden’s largest wooden structures. It was commissioned by the mining company LKAB during the early development of Kiruna as a mining town.
Designed by architect Gustav Wickman, the church honours Scandinavian traditions and reflects the lifestyle of the Indigenous Sami people.
A Unique Wooden Structure
Kiruna Church is celebrated for:
1. Its All-Wood Construction
The warm wooden interiors and carved details make it very different from the stone churches seen across Europe.
2. Sami-Inspired Architecture
Its shape resembles a Sami goahti, the tent-like home of the Sami community, showing deep respect for local culture.
3. Deep Red Exterior
The church’s traditional Swedish red colour looks stunning against the snowy Arctic landscape.
4. Beautiful Art Inside
The altarpiece created by Prince Eugen, along with wooden arches and soft lighting, gives the church a peaceful and artistic charm.
Why Did Kiruna Church Need to Move?
Kiruna is home to one of the world’s largest iron ore mines. Over time, mining activity caused ground movements and fissures (cracks in the earth), putting the old church at risk.
To protect this historic treasure, Sweden decided to relocate the entire church to a safer area—a major engineering challenge.
A Historic Journey: Moving a 670-Tonne Church
In the summer of 2024, the world watched as Kiruna Church began an incredible three-mile (around 5 km) journey to its new home.
“Holy Roller” – A Once-in-a-Lifetime Move
● The church weighs over 670 tonnes—as heavy as 100+ elephants.
● Engineers placed the massive church on steel beams for support.
● The whole structure was lifted carefully onto motorised transporters.
● The trailers moved slowly at 500 metres per hour, ensuring safety.
● The church was so wide that workers had to temporarily remove signs, lamp posts, and even a bridge to clear the path.
● The entire journey took two days, with crowds gathering to witness this extraordinary event.
This relocation is now considered one of the most impressive building moves in history. It ensured the church will stand strong for generations to come.
Why Kiruna Church Matters
● It is a national heritage building of Sweden.
● It beautifully blends modern engineering, traditional architecture, and Indigenous culture.
● Its preservation through relocation is a global example of how precious historical structures can be protected.
● The church is also a spiritual and cultural symbol in Sweden’s Arctic region.
Do You Know?
● Kiruna Church has been voted one of Sweden’s most beautiful buildings.
● It is one of the northernmost churches in the world, located above the Arctic Circle.
● Visitors often see the Northern Lights shining above the church in winter.
● Its separate bell tower is also inspired by Sami traditions.
● The relocation of Kiruna Church is the largest wooden-building move ever attempted in Sweden.
