Museums of Sweden

Kiruna Church

Kiruna, Lapland — Sweden's most beautiful building, on the move

Notice: Non-commercial diploma project — nothing is sold here. Kiruna Church has been relocated due to mining; please check local information before planning a visit.

The story

Completed in 1912 for the mining town of Kiruna, far above the Arctic Circle, this enormous timber church was designed by Gustaf Wickman in a National Romantic style inspired by both Sámi tent dwellings and Norwegian stave churches. Painted in deep falu red, it is one of Sweden's largest wooden buildings — and in 2001 the public voted it the country's most beautiful building of all time.

What makes it special

  • Voted Sweden's most beautiful pre-1950 building in a nationwide poll.
  • A dramatic silhouette that echoes a Sámi goahti (tent) and a Gothic stave church at once.
  • The whole 672-tonne building was moved several kilometres in 2025 because mining was undermining the old town.
  • A gateway to Swedish Lapland — northern lights, midnight sun and Sámi culture.

Plan your visit

Kiruna is reached by train, by air to Kiruna Airport, or as part of a trip to the nearby Icehotel and Abisko National Park. Because the town and its church are being relocated, opening details change often — always confirm locally before you travel.