Continuing my practice of Sunday travel, today I am going to Kiruna, the most northerly town in Sweden, in Swedish Lapland. Kiruna is home to the largest and deepest iron ore mine in the world run by LKAB. It was established in 1890 and to give an idea of the richness of the ore body, to date only about one third of the ore body has been extracted. We visited the mine, an awe inspiring event in itself.
However, the main reason for visiting Kiruna, was not the mine itself, nor the other interesting aspects of experiencing a town so far north and inside the Arctic Circle. Because of my personal and professional interest in planning and environment, I went to Kiruna because the whole town is in the process of being moved to a new location two miles east. The town is sinking into the mine itself. The town originally grew up very close to the edge of the mine but as the mine has expanded over time, the town became endangered. As well as a general town relocation, the historic buildings are being moved as well as the Kiruna Stave Church, the largest wooden church in Sweden. The move started in 2016 and is planned to be complete by 2035. It also gives you an idea of the vastness of the remaining ore deposit when LKAB's signs tell you that the town is being moved at the mine's expense so that mining can continue.
This photo shows one of the historic Bläckhornen, LKAB’s original green, red and yellow wooden workers’ houses characteristic of Kiruna, up on temporary block supports, being prepared for moving, These buildings are called 'Ink Pots' because they were thought to resemble ink-pots for fountain pens.
Thanks for reading this far. I let my interest in this run away with me a bit.
Fascinating story Suzanne. We were booked to go to Norway in May last year for a self drive tour around the south and then a Hurtigruten cruise up the fjords from Bergen to Trondheim but of course we had to cancel. Not too sure if we will try again. Feel a bit gun shy at the moment
The whole process is so interesting. Parts of the town are being rebuilt, historic parts moved and people being given options regarding rehousing. @wakelys
Your planned trip sounds wonderful, Terry. It's a part of the world I like to return to. I hope you get there eventually!
I can understand the 'gun shy' feeling. With Melbourne just emerging from its latest long lockdown, we are thinking about travel options.
At the moment the furthest we will be going for a while is to country Victoria, which has been open for a while although not to people from Melbourne.
The church is to be dismantled, stave by numbered stave so it's a delicate job. The mine is paying for the town move which shows how valuable the remaining iron ore is. I am glad you find it interesting as well. @yaorenliu
October 25th, 2021
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I can understand the 'gun shy' feeling. With Melbourne just emerging from its latest long lockdown, we are thinking about travel options.
At the moment the furthest we will be going for a while is to country Victoria, which has been open for a while although not to people from Melbourne.
@terryliv