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Journalism of Courage
A historic church in Sweden reached its new home after completing a 5 km long journey as the expanding iron ore mine threatened European town Kiruna’s stability.
The 113-year-old Kiruna Church, weighing around 672 tons, was hoisted onto specially designed giant trailers consisting of 224 wheels, which moved at a pace of about 500 metres per hour.
To achieve this feat, engineers removed lamp-posts and traffic lights from the roads, ensuring relocation of the red wooden church in one piece.
The church’s two-day journey began on Tuesday aboard the two flatbed remote-controlled trailers, and it reached Kiruna’s revamped downtown on Wednesday in the afternoon.
The move is a part of a larger effort to relocate the entire town of Kiruna in order to accommodate the expansion of Europe’s largest iron ore mine.
The state-owned mining company, LKAB, which operates the mine, has weakened the ground due to extensive deep drilling, generating the necessity of relocation of infrastructure and homes.
Despite some narrow passages and 90-degree turns, the journey went smoothly for the 1,200-tonne convoy, news agency AFP reported, citing officials.
The relocation sparked widespread interest with thousands flocking to the streets to witness the “historic” event.
New location ‘chosen with great care’, says LKAB
LKAB affirmed that the new location was “chosen with great care to preserve its character and connection to the surroundings”.
“The building has been rotated 180 degrees, meaning that the altar now faces west — a symbolic choice that opens the church towards the city and its residents,” the state-owned company said in a statement.
King Carl XVI Gustaf also took part in the festivities on the arrival of the church on Wednesday.
The move has sparked debate with many criticising LKAB for destroying the whole town.
“LKAB maybe didn’t read the room so well when they destroyed the whole town, and then they stage this huge street party for the people,” Magnus Fredriksson, who hosts a podcast on local Kiruna news, told broadcaster SVT.
The company has offered financial compensation to those affected by the relocation, or to rebuild their homes or buildings.
(With inputs from AFP)
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