Lövstabruk

Lövstabruk^[2] is a village built as a small city on a common in the parish of Österlövsta, Tierp Municipality, Uppsala County, Sweden. In 2005 it had a population of 107,^[1] compared to some 1300 at its height during the 18th century. Lövsta is derived from lösta, an old Swedish word for glade.^[3] It is sometimes spelled Leufsta by French-speaking immigrants

The locality was founded as an ironworks by local farmers during the 16th century, from then on relying primarily upon the quality Dannemora ore. The ownership changed hands to the crown and back again. Another forgery was later built by the crown, which from time to time was leased to various tenants, most notably Wellam de Besche, governmental inspector over most ironworks in Sweden, in 1626 and to him and his partner Louis De Geer in the succeeding year. They introduced Walloonic forging here. In 1641 Louis de Geer, then Swedish citizen, purchased the forgery from the crown as a settlement for various debts, and in 1668 his son Emmanuel was able to negotiate a purchase of the other forgery from the farmers. During his time the facility was expanded considerably, and a park was created along the swamped sides of Risforsån, the creek from which power was supplied in four water falls, in total falling over 15 meters. Due to a shortage of char coal the blast furnaces were relocated to neighbouring villages, where various other expansion also took place. However, Lövstabruk remained the main production facility, and was the biggest ironworks in the country during a number of years in the 18th century. The iron industry was sold to Gimo-Österby AB in 1917, and the lion share of the woodlands to Korsnäs AB in 1935. Iron production ceased on November 20, 1926.^[4] All production facilities were teared down shortly after, while virtually all surrounding buildings remain intact. The manor and the land next to it was owned by the de Geer family for thirteen generations until 1986, when it was transformed into a foundation made up of the local county, Uppsala University, Tierp Municipality, and the de Geer family. Since 1997 most buildings are managed by National Property Board Sweden A number of apartments can be rented from Tierpsbyggen AB.

Around 1615 the first timbered mansion was erected by the crown. 1702 the second wooden manor with six wings, possibly designed by Johan Hårleman, was finished during the ownership of Emmanuel's nephew Charles. In July 1719 Lövstabruk, along with most other locations of economic importance along the eastern coast of Uppland from Norrtälje to Harnäs bruk just south of Gävle, were burnt down by the northern half of a Russian fleet in an attempt by the Czar to move forward with the peace negotiations that were stalled by Sweden. This effort was ill responded to by the unenterprising Swedish government in the political vacuum after the death of King Charles XII. At first Charles de Geer was sceptical about rebuilding the ironworks in Lövstabruk, and considered giving up, going back to Wallonia. However, his able manager Georg Svebilius, who had successfully saved Skebo bruk by a civil militia of his during his employment there, persuaded him to go on.^[5] Within four years the ironworks was producing again, and in the 1730s the current Manor house, now built in stone with four wings, and other less important buildings were also reconstructed. The baron Charles de Geer was bestowed head of county in addition to many years of tax exemption for his efforts. Lövstabruk was made a fideicommiss during his ownership. When the childless bachelor passed away after a stroke in 1730, his nephew Charles de Geer inherited Lövstabruk at an age of 10. Charles studied entomology in the Netherlands, and was a reputed researcher in addition to running the ironworks from the age of 19. He knew Olof Rudbeck and Carl von Linne, and started a famous scientific library in Lövstabruk, including the 'Flower Book',^[6] now owned by Carolina Rediviva, as well as an Aviary. The Manor was improved upon during his ownership, primarily to the design of Jean-Eric Rehn, the dining room perhaps being the most notable effort. His son, also named Charles, preserved the estate while he concentrated upon his interest in politics, agitating against the king. At the turn of the century the ironworks business went well, and the Manor was once more overhauled, this time by Isak Gustaf Clason. As the economy turned worse again a planned overall renovation of all buildings in a Dutch renaissance style never took place, except for the new warehouse and the bookkeeper's lodge.

The church in Lövstabruk, built twice by the first Charles de Geer, houses a well-preserved organ by Niclas Cahman, constructed 1725-1728.

References