Konga – Industrial history on the Ronnebyån

Konga lies on the Ronnebyån river and was originally known as Örmo. The town’s industrial history is reflected in an older industrial landscape, preserved buildings and other historic landmarks. If you are considering a hotel stay in Konga, the town’s history, outdoor recreation and cultural programme can help you weigh up what interests you for your trip.

Industrial history on the Ronnebyån

The Öhrmo ironworks was founded in 1743 with a blast furnace and a foundry hall. Its legacy is preserved in Konga’s older industrial landscape. For centuries, the industrial community on the Ronnebyån used the water for various purposes, including operating a blast furnace and a foundry. The founding of the ironworks and the long history of using the river mark two closely connected timescales in the town’s history.

The preserved industrial buildings include an ironworks manor house dating from the mid-19th century, several workers’ dwellings and storage buildings. The building types point to different aspects of the operation: the manor house, housing for workers and storage space. Together with the history of the ironworks, they offer a tangible picture of Konga’s industrial past.

Dångs bro dates from the 1840s and is located in the town’s historic industrial landscape. For centuries, the industrial community used the water of the Ronnebyån, including for the blast furnace and foundry. The town’s history thus brings together a structure from the 19th century and a much longer history of using the river.

Dångs verkstäder is a small mechanical industrial workshop dating from around the turn of the century, in a former mill setting. It adds another industrial landmark to the history of the ironworks. If you are interested in Konga’s development, you can explore different trades and settings here without conflating them into a single industrial complex.

Local history and other places to visit

The history of Dalgångsstugan is linked to the Örmo ironworks through Håkan Sunesson. Sunesson moved to Örmo in 1859 after being offered a job at the ironworks. Dalgångsstugan is a well-preserved backstuga (a small cottage with a bakehouse) in the woods outside Konga. Visits can be arranged by telephone. If you are planning a visit, call ahead to ask about the options.

The Konga fitness trail starts at the Örmovallen sports ground on Ronnebyvägen in Konga. This named starting point is a useful landmark for anyone looking to include an outdoor activity in their plans alongside the historic sites.

Örmobadet is centrally located in Konga and has good parking. The heated outdoor pool is 16 metres long and also has a smaller pool. Businesses and private individuals can rent the pool outside regular opening hours for 200 Swedish kronor per hour. Book at the Örmobadet kiosk or by calling 073-676 27 79. As seasonal opening hours may change, check the latest hours and booking details before your visit.

The Bio-Live programme at Konga Folkets Hus includes, among other things, opera broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera and is part of a seasonal live cinema programme. If a screening is important to your travel plans, check the event dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Linneryd, Rävemåla, Älmeboda, Grönadal, Tingsryd, Väckelsång, Urshult

Go to the main travel overview: Tingsryd.