Photos: Driving a Century-Old Church Down the Road
Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP / Getty
An aerial view shows the wooden Kiruna Church being transferred to its new location, in Kiruna, Sweden, on August 19, 2025. The church is being moved five kilometers (three miles) to the new town center of Kiruna, because of the expansion of the nearby iron-ore mine operated by the state-owned Swedish mining company LKAB.
Malin Haarala / AP
Vicar Lena Tjarnberg (left) and Bishop Asa Nystrom bless Kiruna Church, called Kiruna Kyrka in Swedish, on August 19, 2025, shortly before it was moved as part of the town’s relocation.
Mauro Ujetto / NurPhoto / Getty
Kiruna Church, standing 131 feet (40 meters) tall, sits ready for relocation.
Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP / Getty
Self-propelled modular transporters were used to carry the 670-ton church and support beams on a total of 224 wheels.
Leonhard Foeger / Reuters
Kees Breedveld, a site manager with Mammoet, the company carrying out the move, displays the remote-control panel used to operate the transporters on August 18, 2025.
Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP / Getty
People gather to watch the moving of Kiruna Church on August 19, 2025.
Fredrik Sandberg / TT News Agency / AFP / Getty
People watch from the road and rooftops as Kiruna Church drives by.
Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP / Getty
Workers escort the church on its journey.
Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP / Getty
Kiruna Church, seen from above on its two-day journey to its new location, covering three miles (five kilometers).
Bernd Lauter / Getty
A spectator takes a picture of the church as it passes by on August 19, 2025.
Fredrik Sandberg / TT News Agency / AFP / Getty
People watch as the church slowly navigates a tight corner.
Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP / Getty
People gather to watch as the church passes through part of the town.
Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP / Getty
An aerial view of Kiruna Church arriving at its final location in the new city center on August 20, 2025.
Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP / Getty
Locals and visitors look up at the church, situated in its new location after a two-day move, in Kiruna, Sweden, on August 20, 2025.