The Malingre Foundry in Ourense during the 19th century and its European influence

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explain the origins of the industry in Ourense. Discuss the implementation process of the Malingre Foundry in Ourense and link it whith the industrialization process that took place in Europe in the 19th century, relating this foundry with the arrival to Spain of foreign technicians from different European countries, brought by General Antonio Elorza.

The Malingre foundry was the first industry that can be considered so in the province of Ourense. It was established in the middle of the 19th century, providing Ourense with a new technique in working iron that favoured the use of this new material applied to the ornamentation of buildings, the beautification  of parks and gardens, the mechanisation of the countryside and various trades. The factory progressed at the same time as the city until 1979, when it closed down definitively.