This picturesque town in northern Sweden has just moved 3.2 km

Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost city, has always been a mining town. Since it was first built in the late 19th century, it has been a community, literally, on top of its iron ore mine. The Kiruna mine has grown to become that largest underground iron ore mine in the world and has ultimately destabilized the ground on which the city itself stood.

Instead of closing the mine, the state mining company LKAB paid in 2018 22.3 billion Swedish kronor (INR 1,77,07,52,23,900), to move the entire city – homes, businesses, landmarks and all – instead. And now it is ready to welcome back visitors.

In September, officials cut the ribbon on Kiruna’s temporary new downtown, located about three kilometers down the block from its former home (the city moved about two miles). According to High North Newsthe whole project will take until 2035 to complete, then this city ​​center will be dismantled and the new more developed center will take its place. And at that time, some 6,000 residents are said to have moved into 3,000 new homes.

Entire buildings have already made or are making the journey from the old city to the new, inclusive Kiruna Clock Towerwho made the move in 2018. Kiruna Church, which stands as a preserved magnificent example of Gothic Revival, and one of the largest wooden buildings in the country, is intended to be moved to 2025. A total of 20 historical or cultural heritage buildings will be moved over the next decade.

– People are really affected, both positively and negatively, says Annika Fredriksson, CEO of the Swedish Lapland Visitors Board, to Travel + Leisure about the move, which was voted on and approved by residents. – It is difficult to get a grip on it. But it is a lively time and a vibrant moment.”

And Kiruna is not the only place in Swedish Lapland on the move.

The entire town of Malmberget also merges with nearby Gällivare, three miles away (4.8 km), as it also lies in the path of the region’s huge mines. The shift involves relocation 3,200 inhabitants and build 2,000 homesscheduled to be completed in 2032. The project will include several phases over two decades, with Gällivare also benefiting from the addition of facilities such as a new sports center and schools.

And since all good things come in threes, we have to mention that Luleå city is the Swedish destination that started this urban relocation trend. As early as 1649, shipping was forced to move about six miles (9.6 km) closer to the coast, but mining was not the culprit here. Instead, the water in its busy harbor became too shallow, the result of a process called glacial recoveryso society moved with it.

Places to stay in Kiruna

All three cities are located in the middle of the wonders Swedish Lapland, a region known for endless sunlight in the summers and spectacular northern lights during long, cold winters. The new Scandic Kiruna shares a courtyard with the new city hall, called Kristallen, or “the crystal”, a space that is also open to the public for performances and houses several floors of art and exhibition spaces.

Book your stay here

The hotel has 231 rooms and features amenities such as a well-stocked lobby lounge and bar, as well as a sauna with wonderful views of the area, including the northern lights when the weather is right. Nearby is also the original Ice hotelfor those who don’t mind sleeping in negative temperatures for a unique, modern igloo experience.

Book your stay here

Near Luleå, visitors can book a stay at Brändön Lodge, with 15 cottages along the northern edge of the Gulf of Bothnia. The days at the residence are filled with activities such as forest food and dog sledding. For dinner, you can try to book the accommodation Aurora Hideaway Cabin, a cozy cabin hauled out into the wilderness by snowmobile for a meal prepared by a cook by the fire and enjoyed (hopefully) under the northern lights in a remote, unspoiled venue.

This story first appeared on www.travelandleisure.com

Main and functional image: Jake Emen

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