Between two lakes just north of Filipstad is one of Sweden's best preserved mining environments, with a rare mineral richness and more than 400 years of industrial history. The story is seated between mines and foundry, mining pits, monumental piles of waste rock and in John Ericssongården's lush garden at the shore of Hyttsjön. Welcome to the mining district Bergslagen in Värmland!
Långban is one of the world's richest places concerning minerals. In the bedrock below us there are more than 300 different minerals. About 70 of them have only been found right here and several have been named after this site, for example Långbanit. Already 400 years ago, ore was mined here. The remaining mines are more than 350 meters deep.
Here in Långban, one of Sweden's biggest international celebrities of all times was born: inventor John Ericsson. He designed a warship that was crucial in the American Civil War. In the United States he became a celebrated hero and his statue is in central New York. That's where he lived most of his life.
The headland in the lake nearby is called Tiberg's headland and is a nature reserve. Here you will find plants that thrive in the calcareous soil, among which there are seven different orchid varieties.
Have a look around! Here in the guide you can find out more about the history of the place and the various buildings.