A massive historic wooden church in Sweden's northernmost mining town has been successfully relocated three miles away from unstable ground caused by expanding underground mining operations. The Kiruna Church, one of Sweden's largest wooden structures weighing 786 tons, was moved by Dutch engineering firm Mammoet using specialized heavy transport equipment in a remarkable two-day operation.
The mining town of Kiruna, located within the Arctic Circle, was founded in the 1890s, and the iconic Kiruna Church was erected in the 1910s. Over the decades, as underground mining operations continued to expand beneath the town, the ground became increasingly unstable, threatening the structural integrity of the historic building. This deteriorating situation necessitated the unprecedented move to preserve the culturally significant wooden structure.
Mammoet, a Dutch engineering firm specializing in heavy transport solutions, took on the challenging task of relocating the massive church. The complex operation required extensive preparation, with engineers spending over 1,000 hours in detailed planning to ensure the safe transport of the historic structure. The planning phase was crucial given the enormous weight and cultural value of the building.
The actual execution of the move was a marvel of modern engineering. The 786-ton structure was carefully jacked up while massive steel beams were positioned beneath it for support. These steel beams were then placed on two of Mammoet's Self-Propelled Modular Transporters, each configured with 28 axles to distribute the enormous weight evenly. The sophisticated transport system was designed to handle the church's substantial mass while maintaining structural integrity during the journey.
During the three-mile journey to the new location, two engineers remained inside the church throughout the transport process, listening carefully for any sounds that might indicate structural stress or cracking. This precautionary measure ensured that any potential problems could be immediately identified and addressed. After two days of careful movement, the church was successfully lowered onto its new concrete foundation, now positioned at a safe distance from the unstable mining tunnels.
The successful relocation of Kiruna Church represents just the first phase of the preservation project. Mammoet's next task involves moving the church's separate belfry structure, which, while still substantial, weighs a comparatively modest 99 tons. This additional move should prove less challenging given the engineering team's experience with the main church structure and the significantly reduced weight of the belfry.
