Avesta (locality)
Avesta is a town in the Swedish province of Dalarna County and the capital of the homonymous municipality ( kommun ). In place names, which still Aghastadhum was written in 1303, coming ave ( extension of a watercourse ) and stadher ( Old Swedish for office or yard ) before.
The settlement lies on the River Dalalven forming two waterfalls here. It is a railway junction and an old industrial standpoint. Already about 350 years started here with the metal fabrication and metal finishing. First copper smelters were from the 17th century in this area. In a former industrial landscape, the so-called Koppardalen ( Kupfertal ), today smaller companies have established.
A sight of the Avesta is the resting place Dalahästen the largest Dala horse in the world. Near the town there is also a worth seeing bison park.
For the district Krylbo with the Avesta Krylbo station see Krylbo.
History
In the Middle Ages it was near the present city of a metal hut. 1636 began with the construction of the copper work, which developed into one of the largest in Europe. Was initiated the construction of the Dutchman Govert Silentz. This was replaced in 1642 by the master coiner Marcus Kock. The latter could also create a mint which coined as good as all Swedish copper coins until 1831. As Avesta in 1641 and received its charter, was the development of the place a further boost. However, the competition from the surrounding cities led in 1688 to a waiver of those rights. Due to the demographic decline, the mint and the copper plant were shut down in the middle of the 19th century.
However, new industries were not long in coming. In 1874 started the construction of an ironworks, whose successor is the most important employer in Avesta today. With the new flowering of the place became in 1907 the status of patches ( Linköping ) and 1919 you got the city right back. In that time about 5000 inhabitants city, an aluminum factory and a fertilizer plant were built.
Town planning
The original development of the Avesta, which is now Gamla Byn originated west of the church according to a grid plan. However, the block houses well preserved mainly arose after a fire that raged in 1803 in the village. Chance to find but still houses from the 17th century. The two-aisled stone church was consecrated in 1655. Originally they had a hipped roof with rooflights, but this was destroyed in the fire of 1803. Today's roof and the tower originated 1851-1852.
Go to the top of the 20th century Avesta was rebuilt after a new plan. It was a great place Markustorget, south of the railway line. The central part of the road Kungsgatan is covered and a pedestrian zone.
In memory of the old mint there in Avesta a coin museum. The main attraction is a nearly 20 -kg 10 - thaler piece. This is the largest coin in the world.
The European bison - the symbol of the old company Avesta Sheffield AB.
The Dala horse made of concrete.
Sons and daughters of the town
- Tony Rickardsson, train athletes