The relocation of the church will take place over two days - Source: Reuters
A historic church, 113 years old, facing danger from ground subsidence, is set to be completely moved - in a 5km (3 miles) journey along a road in Sweden's far north.
The large red wooden building in Kiruna, constructed in 1912, has been raised on massive rolling platforms in preparation for its relocation to the new city center.
Traveling at a top speed of 500 meters per hour, the trip is anticipated to last two days.
The historic downtown faces danger from ground cracks following over a hundred years of iron ore extraction. The church's relocation represents the most striking and symbolic event in the broader movement of structures in Kiruna, located 145km north of the Arctic Circle
Source: BBC
According to culture strategist Sofia Lagerlöf Määttä, "it's about time, let’s make it happen." "We have waited for many years."
"We’ve put in a great deal of effort in preparing," says the lead on the move, project manager Stefan Holmblad Johansson.
"It's a significant occasion, an extensive and intricate operation, and we cannot afford any mistakes." "However, all is managed well."
His calmness demonstrates years of preparation.
By the mid-2010s, additional structures in Kiruna had begun to be relocated to more secure locations. The majority were torn down and reconstructed, yet a few landmarks were relocated undamaged.
These consist of structures in Hjalmar Lundbohmsgården, like the so-called yellow row featuring three historic wooden houses and the previous residence of mining manager Hjalmar Lundbohm, which has been divided into three sections.
The clock tower from the top of the old city hall has also been relocated and is now situated beside the new city hall.
According to Swedish law, mining operations are prohibited beneath structures.
Robert Ylitalo, CEO of Kiruna's development firm, states: "There's no chance of people slipping through gaps." However, cracks would ultimately harm the water, power, and sewage systems. "Individuals must relocate before the collapse of the infrastructure."
The operator of the iron ore mine, LKAB - which is also Kiruna's largest employer - is handling the city's relocation costs, projected to exceed 10 billion Swedish krona ($1 billion; £737 million).
Kiruna Church stands at a height of 35 meters (115 feet), spans 40 meters in width, and has a weight of 672 tons. It was previously chosen as Sweden's most stunning structure built before 1950.
Moving such a massive structure is an uncommon achievement. Rather than taking it apart, engineers are relocating it as a whole, propped up by steel beams and transported using self-propelled modular vehicles.
"The main difficulty was getting the road ready for a building of that width," states project manager Mr. Johansson.
"We've expanded it to 24 meters (79ft) and in the process, we eliminated lampposts, traffic signals, and a bridge that was set for demolition regardless."
One of the most sensitive elements of the relocation is safeguarding the church's interior valuables, particularly its magnificent altar painting created by Prince Eugen, a royal of Sweden.
"It's not an item you simply grab off a hook," states Mr. Johansson.
"It's attached directly to a masonry wall, making it challenging to take off without causing damage." Thus, it will stay within the church throughout the relocation, completely shielded and secured. "Thus, the instrument featuring its 1,000 pipes."
The church has been hoisted on a wheeled transportation unit - Source: Reuters
The transition is far more than a technical wonder for community members - it's a profoundly emotional experience.
"The church has acted as a spiritual hub and a meeting spot for the community for many years," states Sofia Lagerlöf Määttä, who recalls entering the church for the first time as a young girl alongside her grandmother.
"The transition has evoked feelings of happiness and sadness within us, and we are carrying those feelings forward into the future."
Project manager Stefan Holmblad Johansson also shares that sentiment; he is an engineer who additionally participates in the church's gospel choir.
"This is a particularly important assignment for me," he states. "The church was constructed more than a century ago for the municipality by LKAB." We are relocating it to the new city. "There can hardly be any alternative."
For Lena Tjärnberg, the vicar of the church, the moment holds extra significance.
"The church is departing from a location where it genuinely fits," she states.
"Everyone understands it needs to be moved: we reside in a mining community and rely on the mine." I'm thankful that we're relocating the church with us to the new city center, but I also feel sadness in watching it depart from the place where it grew into a church.
As the enormous walls of Kiruna church start to move ahead, thousands of locals and tourists - including Sweden's King Carl Gustaf - are anticipated to gather along the path.
Swedish television will air the complete voyage live as "slow TV," highlighting a unique occasion when a historical event not only endures transformation but also adapts alongside it.
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