Långban Mining Village, a unique place in the world

Långban, just outside Filipstad in Värmland, is reportedly the most mineral-rich location in the world. It is also the birthplace of the inventor John Ericsson. It is somewhat unclear whether it is also the rainiest location in the world. We have passed through here a number of times and it has always poured with rain. This time, however, we finally managed to catch the village between the downpours.

Iron ore has been mined in Långban since the 1500s, and during the 1800s, manganese ore and dolomite were also added. A whole community grew up around the mine to provide the workers and their families with everything they needed in their daily lives, including schools for the children, workers' housing, healthcare facilities, and more. The iron ore from Långban was shipped all over Europe, and a well-known tall tale is that even the Eiffel Tower is built from Värmland iron ore. Unfortunately, it is just a tall tale as the Eiffel Tower was built from French iron ore. However, it is said that at least one bolt comes from Långban. The mine remained in operation until 1972, when the last workers left the site.

Unfortunately, there was no guided tour on the day of our visit, but we were still able to walk around and look at the area freely and get support from the Värmland Museum app, which provides information about the different houses and locations. There are several exhibitions, including one where they've dived into the different mine shafts. Incredibly fascinating and a little claustrophobic, but don't worry, it's a film, you don't have to crawl down the shafts yourself. 🙂 You can find out which exhibitions are current at the time of your visit on the Värmland Museum website. website.

I mentioned John Ericsson in the introduction. He might not be entirely famous to us Swedes, but ask any American and they’ll know exactly who he is. John Ericsson is the man who had a decisive impact on the American Civil War by constructing a completely new type of boat that could take on the Confederacy's ironclad Merrimack. The boat was possibly not the prettiest; it probably looked most like a tin can, but with its low centre of gravity and movable cannon, it was something entirely new. John Ericsson is honoured today with a statue in Battery Park and has a mausoleum in Filipstad funded by the American state. Even though the inventor spent many years in the USA, it was at home in Sweden that he wanted to rest after his death.

After several hours of exploring the various houses and exhibits, we headed towards John Ericson's childhood home, which today is the mining village's restaurant and café. We had a good lunch there in a cosy atmosphere.

We had a very interesting day in Långban and you really don't need to be a mining enthusiast to appreciate the area. The place is well worth a visit if you are interested in our country's exciting history.

Then don't forget to stop by the mausoleum on your way home, gaudy and American as can be in the otherwise rather modest cemetery in Filipstad.