A 113-year-old wooden church in Sweden successfully completed its two-day journey across the country after a dramatic trek to save itself from being swallowed by a massive mine. The Kiruna Church, located 124 miles above the Arctic Circle, was moved 3 miles to its new location to avoid destruction.
The slow-moving church, which weighed 741 tons, made progress at a glacial pace of 0.31 and 0.93 miles per hour, with two brief breaks for Swedish coffee. Thousands of spectators braved the chilly temperatures to watch the spectacle, while Sweden’s national broadcaster hosted a livestream of “The Great Church Walk,” featuring a performance by the country’s Eurovision entry.
The church, which was gifted to the town by LKAB in 1912, had been threatened by the mine’s expansion. Concerns over its safety led to the city’s plan to relocate its town center. The Kiruna Church is among Sweden’s largest wooden structures and is widely recognized for its beauty and distinctive design.
After a decade-long process, the church finally reached its new home without any issues. The doors, which closed last year, are scheduled to reopen at the end of 2026.
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/08/21/real-estate/see-how-a-741-ton-church-moved-across-its-swedish-city