Mammoet Completes One-Piece Relocation of Kiruna Church

Mammoet has successfully carried out the relocation of Sweden’s historic Kiruna Church, moving the 713-tonne wooden structure in one piece to a new site five kilometers away. The operation, commissioned by Veidekke and LKAB, involved over 1,000 hours of planning and used Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) to ensure the building’s stability throughout its two-day journey. Civil works along the route were prepared and tested in advance to accommodate the church’s weight and dimensions.

The move highlights Mammoet’s expertise in precision heavy transport and engineering for complex, culturally significant projects. The company collaborated with Swedish wood engineering specialists to model the church’s response to lifting and transport, employing custom monitoring systems to maintain maximum tilt within 7.5 cm. The church was successfully lowered onto its new foundations, with the relocation of the 90-tonne belfry planned to follow using a different SPMT setup.

“This project exemplifies the importance of detailed engineering and planning in executing unique and meaningful moves. We’re proud to have played a key role in safeguarding this historic building for future generations.” said William Soeters, Project Manager at Mammoet.

For more information