Bergslagen
The
Mining district of Central Sweden, often referred to under its
Swedish name
Bergslagen, is a historically, culturally, and linguistically distinct region of
Svealand in central
Sweden. In
Bergslagen mining and
metallurgic industry have been important since the
Middle Ages. The Mining district of Central Sweden is to be distinguished from
Malmfälten ("the Ore Fields"), the Mining district of northernmost Sweden centered at the towns of
Kiruna and
Malmberget, that has been of greater importance during the 20th century.
Bergslagen covers part of the
provinces of
Västmanland,
Dalarna (the southern part), and
Värmland (the eastern part). Typical towns in the area include
Nora,
Fagersta,
Sala,
Filipstad,
Ludvika and
Hedemora. Also parts of northern
Östergötland, around
Finspång, as well as southern
Närke can be included, then often referring to
South Bergslagen. A wider definition of the area can include parts of
Gästrikland (
Hofors) and
Uppland (the former iron manufacturing district centred around
Dannemora) as well.
The conflict of interests between iron exports from Bergslagen and territorial conflicts at
Denmark's southern border was a chief reason behind the
Engelbrekt rebellion in
1434 and the following strifes that ultimately resulted in the dissolution of the
Kalmar Union in
1523.
The area is very rich in minerals. Mining has been focused on iron ore for centuries but other ores has been mined as well. Most mines are now closed, but in the 1970s many mines were still in operation. The earliest signs of iron making dates back to 400 BC while industrial scale activities dates back to the 17th century. At Långban, where iron and manganese has been mined, 270 mineral species has been reported to date. Many of these minerals are unique to the Långban deposit, and 67 minerals were first found at this site.
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:Category:Mountain Districts of Bergslagen*
Ecomuseum Bergslagen - Official site
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Långban and its minerals
