Overview:

Norrköping Industrial Landscape is located in the province of Östergötland, in Sweden. It is one of the country’s largest industrial regions, and includes a number of historic factories, mills and industry-related infrastructure. The region is also home to impressive hydro-electrically powered installations, like the locks running up the River Motala Ström. Norrköping’s industrial development began in the late 1500s, when the area’s hydro-electric potential was first tapped. During the 19th century, the city successfully developed its own industries, while also benefiting from its proximity to other industrial centers like Stockholm, Linköping and Örebro. The factories, mills and canals that characterize the landscape of Norrköping today were built during this period. The Norrköping Industrial Landscape is now recognized as a World Heritage site, for its significance as an example of an urban industrial environment in Europe during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It showcases the effects of industrialization on the built environment, as well as its effects on society and the economy – all of which shaped life in Europe during that period. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Sweden
Prominent Features:

1. Ivösjön Lake: Ivösjön Lake is a scenic lake located in Norrköping’s industrial landscape, with a length of 28 kilometres. 2. The Giant Stream Wheel: The stream wheel is a historical highlight, located in Norrköping and is a former water mill, made of three steel wheels with a diameter of 4.5 metres. It stands 7.5 metres in total. 3. Modern Industrial Buildings: The industrial landscape of Norrköping features a number of modern industrial buildings, including the SCA paper mill, the Bestinet factory, and the Orontes Norrköping Tower. 4. Heritage Buildings: A number of heritage buildings can also be found in the industrial landscape of Norrköping, such as the Sickla Windmill, the Old Capitol, the former Textile Millennium, and the Gustavian Mill. 5. Vasa Theater: The Vasa Theater is one of Sweden’s oldest theaters and is located in Norrköping. It is known for its remarkable art deco design. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Sweden.

History:

The industrial history of Norrköping, Sweden began in the 16th century with the establishment of a paper industry. The industrial growth of Norrköping increased with the rise of the textile industry in the 17th and 18th centuries and the industrial expansion was boosted further by developments in the engineering sector during the 19th century. In the late 19th century, the industrial landscape in Norrköping was dominated by engineering and textile manufacturing, with companies like AB Theodor Svantesson, which produced weaving machines and spinning frames. By the early 20th century, Norrköping had become exceptionally important to the Swedish national economy as a major industrial hub, producing a range of goods such as leather, sailcloth, equipments for the supply of electricity, and guns. During the early decades of the 20th century, Norrköping saw the emergence of several new manufacturing industries such as carpet mills, cigarette factories, and a printing and publishing works. By the 1950s, Norrköping had emerged as one of Sweden’s most dynamic industrial cities and had numerous engineering and manufacturing facilities that had been established by major multi-national companies such as Saab, Volvo, and Electrolux. After the 1960s, the city experienced a significant decline in its industrial activity, with a number of companies downsizing or relocating elsewhere. This decline was compounded by increased competition from other countries as well as the rising costs of production in Sweden. Despite these challenges, the city was able to retain some of its industrial presence with companies such as ABZ Bearings and Saab AB still based in Norrköping. In recent years, the city has experienced a revival, with the establishment of industries such as energy technologies, the automotive sector, and biotechnology. Visit one of the famous monuments of Sweden with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Norrköping has been an important industrial city since the Middle Ages, and was historically known as the Swedish Manchester due to its many spinning and weaving factories. 2. The industrial cityscape of Norrköping is featured in the painting Målaren Atterberg av Norrköping (1876–77) by Swedish artist August Malmström. 3. Norrköping’s industrial heritage is the site of the textile museum, Neptunus, which offers visitors a glimpse at Sweden's textile history. 4. The Norrköping Archaeological Industrial Landscape (NAIL), a UNESCO World Heritage site, includes 19th century factories set on a network of canals and mills. 5. Norrköping is home to the Linköping University, which features the world’s largest solar-cell panel system. 6. The Motala Ström, one of the longest canals in Europe, starts in Norrköping and connects to the Baltic Sea. 7. In 2009, Norrköping began an environmental sustainability initiative that has since cancelled 8.5 million cars from the city's roads. 8. Near Norrköping is the Pilane Prehistoric Landscape, a Bronze Age megalithic necropolis. One of the historical monuments of Sweden, it tells the story of a bygone era