Kiruna Church Relocation to Be Broadcast Live on SVT

Next week is the time for the move of the unique church in Kiruna. King Carl Gustaf will be on site and the entire spectacular "church wandering" can be followed in live broadcast on SVT. A historic and powerful event, says project manager Johan Erhag to TT. Additionally, popular Sverker Olofsson appears on screen, as a flying reporter.

» Published: August 14 2025

Kiruna Church Relocation to Be Broadcast Live on SVT
Photo: Christine Olsson/TT

Share this article

The complicated relocation of the culturally and historically valuable and over 600 ton heavy church has required many years of preparation. A completely new road has been built for the transport of the church, which must be moved to a new location due to LKAB's mining. The actual move takes place with the help of specially built trailers.

Moving this church in one stage will undoubtedly be exciting to participate in, says Johan Erhag.

The King visits Kiruna

The relocation of the entire town of Kiruna, including the over hundred year old church, has attracted attention all over the world. The church is architecturally unique in its kind: a mix of Gothic, Art Nouveau, High Baroque and with Sami and ancient Nordic ornamentation. When it is transported to its new address, King Carl Gustaf is among the spectators. He visits the town on August 20, together with the Governor of Norrbotten, Lotta Finstorp.

During the broadcast, Sverker Olofsson makes a comeback on TV, this time as a flying reporter, while Beppe Starbrink hosts the program from the studio.

We have 30 cameras that follow the church's five kilometer long journey to the new location. The maximum speed is half a kilometer per hour, so everything will go - very - slowly.

"Relaxing window"

While other concepts lose viewers, TV broadcasts that praise slowness have become an, perhaps unexpected, success story. Millions of viewers have followed "slow TV" in the form of, for example, "The Great Elk Migration".

TT: What makes slow TV so popular?

It's really the ten thousand kronor question. One explanation may be that it is a relaxing window, an experience in peace and quiet, which is the exact opposite of what we see and hear today in the form of fast clips and lots of information.

The relocation of Kiruna church takes place on August 19-20 and the journey can be followed on SVT2 and SVT Play.

Helena Nordenberg/TT

Facts: "The Great Church Move"

TT

At 7:55-17:00 on August 19 and 20, SVT broadcasts the move of the 672 ton heavy church live.

This will be the largest building to be relocated in Kiruna's community transformation.

In addition to the TV broadcast "The Great Church Move", tens of thousands of people are expected to be on site to follow the move.

Sources: SVT and others.

The church is being moved as part of Kiruna's city move, due to LKAB's mining which has caused cracks in the ground. The city move has been going on for almost 20 years.

The church will be moved from the old city center to a height near Kiruna's new center, where a churchyard is already located.

Kiruna church is a culturally and historically valuable building, known for its unique architecture with national romantic features. The church is one of Sweden's largest wooden buildings.

The building was designed by Gustaf Wickman and inaugurated in 1912. In the church is Prince Eugen's famous altarpiece "The Holy Grove".

Sources: Kiruna municipality and others.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Darth Vader's Lightsaber Auctioned for Over 34 Million Kronor
1 MIN READ

Darth Vader's Lightsaber Auctioned for Over 34 Million Kronor

Bruce Springsteen Releases Electric Version of Nebraska in New Box Set
1 MIN READ

Bruce Springsteen Releases Electric Version of Nebraska in New Box Set

Authors' Association Lifts Warning Against Hybrid Publisher Lava
1 MIN READ

Authors' Association Lifts Warning Against Hybrid Publisher Lava

David Bowie's Final Project: 18th Century Musical Unveiled in Exhibition
1 MIN READ

David Bowie's Final Project: 18th Century Musical Unveiled in Exhibition

The Stag Beetle Returns to Radio as a Classic Serial
1 MIN READ

The Stag Beetle Returns to Radio as a Classic Serial

Justin Bieber Releases New Album Swag II
1 MIN READ

Justin Bieber Releases New Album Swag II

Tunna blå linjen Christmas Special and New Episodes Announced
1 MIN READ

Tunna blå linjen Christmas Special and New Episodes Announced

Farnaz Arbabi Revamps Shakespeare's Comedy with Modern Twist
3 MIN READ

Farnaz Arbabi Revamps Shakespeare's Comedy with Modern Twist

Hugh Bonneville Calls for Gaza Action at Downton Abbey Premiere
1 MIN READ

Hugh Bonneville Calls for Gaza Action at Downton Abbey Premiere

Jireel Announces New Album Release for October 24
1 MIN READ

Jireel Announces New Album Release for October 24

SVT Dominates Kristallen Gala with Nine Awards
4 MIN READ

SVT Dominates Kristallen Gala with Nine Awards

Swedish Film "Without Kelly" Debuts at Venice Festival
3 MIN READ

Swedish Film "Without Kelly" Debuts at Venice Festival

Justin Bieber Teases New Album Swag II Release
1 MIN READ

Justin Bieber Teases New Album Swag II Release

The Weeknd Returns to Sweden for 2024 Concert at Strawberry Arena
1 MIN READ

The Weeknd Returns to Sweden for 2024 Concert at Strawberry Arena

South Park Episode Features Trump and Satan's Surprising Relationship
1 MIN READ

South Park Episode Features Trump and Satan's Surprising Relationship

New Bond Game 007 First Light Set for March Release
1 MIN READ

New Bond Game 007 First Light Set for March Release

Government to Abolish Cost Rent for Major Cultural Institutions
2 MIN READ

Government to Abolish Cost Rent for Major Cultural Institutions

Swedish Cultural Canon Surprises by Excluding Abba
1 MIN READ

Swedish Cultural Canon Surprises by Excluding Abba

Sophie Turner Cast as Lara Croft in New Tomb Raider Series
1 MIN READ

Sophie Turner Cast as Lara Croft in New Tomb Raider Series

Cultural Canon Initiative Proposed to Cost 170 Million
2 MIN READ

Cultural Canon Initiative Proposed to Cost 170 Million