A city in Lapland moves location

The whole of the historic city of Kiruna, its buildings and its people, is being moved. Kiruna's in northern Sweden, Lapland, and it's soon to have a change of address.

Kiruna's a city which grew around a mine for iron ore, over a century ago. However, that hunt for iron ore is now endangering the city. The ground under its buildings is unsafe and as a result, in 2007, it was decided that the city needed to change location.

The new Kiruna will be greener, as it'll focus on sustainability. Yet, like its former self, the heart of modern Kiruna will be its special church. As the 113-year-old building is seen as one of Sweden's greatest and most attractive wooden structures, the event drew attention from locals and visitors.

Stig Wiik: "We were walking ar, ar, beside the, the church, yes. And I think it's very special, special - spectular! It's very spectular to, to move a church with so much high - weight. 672 tonnes, I heard."

The church was only transported a distance of 5 kilometres, but with a weight of 672 tonnes, it posed an enormous challenge. First of all, engineers had to remove lamp posts and traffic lights along the route. The building was then positioned on 224 wheels and moved along at just 500 metres an hour.

Project manager Stefan Holmblad Johansson was extremely glad when it had successfully reached its destination.

Stefan Holmblad Johansson: "I'm, I'm so glad. It's feel fantastic that we had the church on its new spot. And it had gone so well - exactly how we have planned. So, I've been calm during those days, but now I feel so happy and relieved, anyway."

At its new site, the church is now waiting for concrete to be poured into the ground. Following that, it will be gently put into place. View Less