Torsebro powder factory
The powder factory Torsebro ( Swedish Torsebro krutbruk ) is a former powder mill in the southern Swedish village of Torsebro .
location
It is located northwest of the village on the right bank of the Helge å . The powder mill consists of various buildings that are further apart. Today the powder mill with its old oak trees has a park-like character.
history
The powder factory was founded in 1681 by the Swedish King Charles XI. founded. The reason for the plant in Torsebro was the goal of powder production in southern Sweden in order to avoid long and dangerous transport routes from the further northern parts of the country. The proximity to the fortress town of Kristianstad may also have been significant. The black powder produced was used for Swedish armaments. The specific location was chosen in order to be able to use the hydropower of Helge å for the powder mills . The firewood required for the production process was also available nearby. Saltpetre was supplied by farmers in the region. The sulfur required was supplied from the Dylta mine in Närke .
The factory was largely self-sufficient and was surrounded by a large stone wall. For safety reasons, the factory buildings were located in the extensive factory grounds at considerable distances. In addition to the powder mills on the river, there were various workshops, workers' quarters and the main house.
From 1716, the Danckwardt and Stael von Holstein families ran the factory, with the Swedish krona holding the monopoly of powder production in Sweden. In 1770 Stael von Holstein took over the ownership. Even after the state monopoly ended in 1858, it remained with the operating family. In 1875 the facility was modernized. For safety reasons, high walls were raised at various points in the area, and buildings were fitted into the surroundings. Trees have also been planted. These should stop splinters and objects in the event of an explosion. The factory now mainly produced powder for hunting rifles and the stone industry.
In 1901 James Kenedy bought the system on Råbelöv. Gyttorps Sprängämnes AB was responsible for the operation from 1901 to 1916 . The successor was the Nitroglycerinaktiebolaget, which continued the plant until 1926.
There were more serious accidents in the factory. The last major accident occurred in 1910. A worker died in an explosion in the powder drying plant.
After it was closed in 1926, the property became privately owned. The facility has been a listed building since 1996 .
literature
- Torsebro krutbruk , Regionmuseet Kristianstad, no year (Swedish / German / English)
Web links
- own website
- Entry in the bebyggelseregistret des Riksantikvarieämbetet (Swedish)
Coordinates: 56 ° 6 ′ 30 ″ N , 14 ° 7 ′ 36.1 ″ E