The price of iron ore – Relocating an entire city in Sweden | DW Documentary
A church that “migrates” to a new location kilometers away. A key event in the relocation of the northern Swedish city of Kiruna. As iron ore mining encroaches on its territory, large parts of the city are being forced to make way.
Many buildings are being demolished, and the city center now consists largely of new construction. Leaving many residents of Kiruna unhappy.
For several years now, Stefan Holmblad Johansson has been preparing for the day the church must leave its longtime home. He’s responsible for the relocation of the house of worship at the mining company LKAB. But he also has a personal connection to the church, like many people here in Kiruna. A few years ago, the Swedes voted the church the most beautiful building in the whole country. Its relocation was staged as a media-friendly folk festival.
But for many people, the move is no cause for celebration. Lina Brännström grew up near the old city center. Today, she avoids going there. Most of the remaining buildings stand empty, and many others have already been demolished. “We were given so many promises, so many fine words – but in the end, all that’s left is rubble,” she says angrily. One of her chief concerns is the music association “Tusen toner” (A Thousand Tones), an institution in Kiruna. For 30 years, it has been housed in a listed building which, unlike the church, will apparently not be relocated. There is no replacement. Lina and her friends see no future for alternative youth culture in the city.
Miner Jari Söyrinki is also unhappy. For a long time, Kiruna and the LKAB mine have been dependent on each other in a positive sense. But now, it’s clear that mining operations are taking priority over everything else. Kiruna is in danger of becoming a backdrop, rather than a real home for its residents.
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Video “The price of iron ore – Relocating an entire city in Sweden | DW Documentary” was uploaded on 05/18/2026 by DW Documentary Youtube channel.