Felguera Factory facts for kids
The Felguera Factory (called Fábrica de La Felguera in Spanish) was a very important factory in La Felguera, a town in northern Spain. It was one of the first big factories for a company now known as Duro Felguera. Even though the factory isn't working anymore, you can visit the Museum of the Siderurgy there. This museum teaches you all about making iron and steel.
Contents
History of Felguera Factory
Before the Felguera Factory, a smaller factory called La Factoría de Gíl y Compañía was in the area since 1856. Then, on May 21, 1857, a man named Pedro Duro started a new company. He called it the Sociedad Metalúrgica de Langreo, which means Langreo Metallurgical Society.
Building the Factory
Pedro Duro worked with his partners, Vicente Bayo and Francisco Antonio de Elorza y Aguirre. Between 1857 and 1859, they built the factory on a piece of land known as El Pradón de La Felguera. This name means "The big meadow of La Felguera."
First Iron Production
The factory's main furnace was lit in 1859. The very next year, in 1860, the factory successfully produced its first iron. Pedro Duro wanted to bring modern ways of making steel to the town.
Why La Felguera Was Perfect
La Felguera was a great place for the factory because it had many useful things nearby:
- Plenty of coal, which was needed to power the furnaces.
- The Nalón and Candín rivers, important for water and transport.
- The Carbonera Road and the Langreo Railway, which connected the town to Gijón. This made it easy to move materials and products.
The Felguera Factory became one of the most important places for making steel and iron in Spain. It helped the region of Asturias grow into a major industrial area. The factory finally closed its doors in 1984.
Gallery
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Current Museum of Siderugy
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Pedro Duro
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Felguera Factory in the early 20th century
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Laboratories building today
See also
In Spanish: Fábrica de La Felguera para niños
