"Finspång" Finspång by Psife

Finspång Travel Guide: 17 reviews and 15 photos

My Hometown

I grew up in Finsp?ng, a small town with an population of 21 000 (15 000 in the regional center). It's located 30 kilometers from Norrkoping and I currently work just outside Finsp?ng. Since I'm the first and only one so far to write anything about Finsp?ng I feel a responsibility to make an good presentation.

Fisnp?ng is a small town living in the shadow of the larger neighbour Norrk?ping, there are not many shops or entertainment like theaters and movies since everyone goes to Norrk?ping instead. Most people in Finsp?ng work in one of the big industrial companys, ABB Alstom that make turbines, SAPA that makes aluminium profiles and Gr?nges that recyles aluminium and makes aluminium products.

Although Finsp?ng is small it has a lot of interesting to offer, there's the beautiful Finsp?ng Castle from the 15th century with it's beautifuk English park. Reimyre glas mill outside Finsp?ng, old industrial homes from the 16th century when Finsp?ng was a leading cannon manufacturer. Around Finsp?ng there's also wonderful nature with an abundance of small streams and lakes that's ideal for canoeing.

I will put up some images when I have scanned them.

History

An old foundry from 1542

In the beginning there were two villages on either side of a river, Finsp?ngs?n. (kind of sounds like a fairytale? ;-) )

They were called West Finsp?ng (V?stra Finsp?ng) and East Finsp?ng (?stra Finsp?ng). At some time lost and forgotten in the mists of time there was a small bridge (a sp?ng) built across the river that joined the two villages, the name Finsp?ng is thought to mean Finns sp?ng, the sp?ng that Finn built.

Finds of artifacts (stoneaxes) show that people has been living in the area for more than 5000 years. the first people was nomads that wandered the area hunting and fishing. 2000 years ago the iron-age people came wandering and settled the first permanent settlements in the fertile lands. there are still names, artifacts and gravesites preserved from the first Finspangers.

The two villages expands during the viking and middle ages and they eventually grow together to form the present Finsp?ng.

Brukstiden and the Cannons

Outside the old Cannon Workshop

In the area around Finsp?ng there was several iron mines, the area became a bergslag, see glossary, and got tax reliefs from the Crown during the 14th century. In 1580 a dutchman, de Wijk, the task to develop the iron industy and to start to manufacture cannons. Loius de Geer, also a dutchman, took over the cannon industri in 1641 and brought a lot of dutch vallon smiths to Finsp?ng. He turned Finsp?ng cannon mills into Sweden's leading cannon manufacturer and was knighted by the King of Sweden for this. He built the Finsp?ng Castle as his manor and is one of the most famous and influental inhabitants in the history of ?sterg?tland.

The abundance of war in Europe caused a large demands for cannons and Finsp?ng provided large parts of the European armies. The manufacturing continued until the beginning of the 20th century when it was bought by a company called Bofors-Gullsp?ng (these days Bofors) and moved.

The remaining foreges and workshops was bought and developed into Asea STAL (ABB Stal) and Finspong Metallverken (Gr?nges)

An iron industry Glossary
Bergslag - The team of miners and mountain men were called a bergslag (mountain team), in time the areas where iron mining and iron industries were built up were also called bergslag.

Bruk - An iron industry (foundry, smithy, forge etc)
Gjutj?rn - Cast iron
Hammare - Hammer
Hammarsmed - Blacksmith working at a large hammer
Hytta - Foundry
Masugn - Blast-furnace
Messing - Brass
Smed - Smith
Stångjärn - Iron bar used as raw material for smithies
Vallon - Dutch Smith

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beatiful little town with great nature
Cons:Limited with restaurants, pubs

Last visit to Finspång: Sep 2003
Intro Updated Oct 22, 2003
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (23)

The Jolly Scotsman Nightlife (3)

A "genuine" scottish pub with interior of mahogny, quiet and calm atmosphere where you can have a drink and talk with... more travel advice

The Tavern Restaurants (2)

Värdshuset (The Tavern) is located in an 180 year old building that's been everything from a hotel, restaurant, pharmacy... more travel advice

Bruksgatan Things to Do (11)

A street with traditional houses from the bruks period. Among the houses are Värdshuset (the tavern), Messingskammaren... more travel advice

Häfla HammerForge Things to Do (11)

The Forge was granted priviliges to produce iron in 1683 and continued production up until 1924. In 1990 it was declared... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (2)
See All Badger Mountain
Favorites (1)
Weapon Shield of Finspång
Hotels (2)
See All Allý Hotellet

Sports & Outdoors (1)
Lotta Neumann Home Course
Transportation (1)
Getting to Finspång
Been to Finspång?
Share your travels with the world!

Comments (8)

Reply
- Report abuse
KiKitC Nov 10, 2006 at 4:02 AM

Great tips...loved the photos! Hope your birthday is funfilled and magical!
Reply
- Report abuse
ncfg Jan 22, 2004 at 6:04 AM

Lovely town to live in, Thanks
Reply
- Report abuse
El_Sueco Nov 3, 2003 at 3:20 PM

Good work on Finspång. That S:ta Maria church is definitiely a must see!
Reply
- Report abuse
mabu Oct 15, 2003 at 5:45 AM

nice photos! I'll have to try and see the trolls once...
Reply
- Report abuse
Sjalen Oct 6, 2003 at 6:37 AM

Mera små ställen! Skulle sitta fint med Trollkärringfoto - det låter mystiskt...:-)
Reply
- Report abuse
truus_s Oct 6, 2003 at 12:25 AM

Great page!Looks a beautifull castle..Nice photos..Thanks
Reply
- Report abuse
keeweechic Sep 20, 2003 at 8:40 PM

I'm glad you made the page.. great representation of Finspang. The glassblowing always fascinates me. The castle sounds wonderful and so does the English garden... lovely things to see here.
Reply
- Report abuse
maryamy Sep 4, 2003 at 2:54 AM

Seems pretty. Good page.