Nybro

Nybro
Nybro airphoto, from an old postcard

Coat of arms
Nybro
Coordinates:
Country Sweden
Province Småland
County Kalmar County
Municipality Nybro Municipality
Area[1]
 • Total 10.67 km2 (4.1 sq mi)
Population (2005-12-31)[1]
 • Total 12,598
 • Density 1,181/km2 (3,058.8/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)

Nybro is a city and the seat of Nybro Municipality, Kalmar County, Sweden with 12,598 inhabitants in 2005.[1]

Overview

The name Nybro literally means New Bridge. It was founded as a market town in the 19th century, but rapidly transformed into an industrial town. In 1865 the town became a municipality separately from Madesjö. It was granted city rights in 1932.

Nybro is a small industrial town surrounded by forests and small agricultural enclaves. Kährs is a manufacturer of wooden floors and the largest employer in the city. But the two glassworks factories (Nybro and Pukeberg) are more known, because they also serve as tourist attraction. Nybro calls itself "The city within the Kingdom of Crystal", the latter being a region with 15 active glassworks including Kosta, Boda and Orrefors.

The city arms show a bridge in the lower part, the upper part depict crossbows. The crossbows are a symbol that is used more often in this region, but its origin is unknown. Since 1971 the coat of arms is used by the municipality.

Nybro is also the home of Nybro Vikings IF, a professional ice hockey team in the second highest league of Sweden, Hockeyallsvenskan.

References

Nybro is one of 133 places with the historical city status in Sweden.