Precious stones from the Bohemian Paradise

The brothers Jan and Václav Fišers from Turnov. Their alleged voyage to Venice, five years of efforts to seize the local secret of secrecy, return to Turnov, dozens of wasted attempts and then - finally success! In 1711 they made the first glass for the production of artificial stones.

THE GLASSHOUSE IN NOVÝ SVĚT

It was in 1712, when Elias Müller built his glassworks on the estate of the Harrach Counts in Jilemnice. It continued in the traditional production of glass, which was produced on the border of the Giant Mountains and the Jizera Mountains in the middle of the 14th century. Even today, you can see not only metallurgical production and blowing glass, but also a hundred-year-old grinding shop. It is driven by a water turbine and transmissions used to distribute the driving force.

ELIAS PALME

Elias Palme, one of the most famous luminaire manufacturers, continued the tradition of chandeliers in Kamenický Šenov. Industrial production of chandeliers was started in 1724 by Josef Palme in Prácheň.

ELDORADO OF BEADS AND SEED BEADS

Surely you would not find in the whole Principle and in the broad surroundings of a person who would say a crooked word about Jan Šourek. After all, it was as if he had come to the Principle of Prosperity and Welfare. As soon as he took possession of the reeve, life in the village began to turn for the better. He was one of the first to venture into the world for business.

JOSEF RIEDEL

Josef Riedel, king of the Jizera Mountains glassmakers, was born in Hejnice in 1816. He was the representative of the sixth generation of the glass family and imprinted his footprint indelibly on the slopes of the Jizera Mountains.

FRIEDRICH EGERMANN

JOSEF PFEIFFER

Josef Pfeiffer - Jablonec entrepreneur and mayor, who was involved in the development of jewelery exports. Everything is confirmed at the imperial court and in 1866 Jablonec became a town during his reign.

BLOWN BEAD and its way to the tree

People can make sense of time and numbers, but not us, beads. However, I have heard that they have been blowing me in the mountains for more than a hundred years. As a bead would put it, that is a long time. You, who have never seen how a bead is born, you don´t know how beautiful life can be....

MELTED GLASS SCULPTURE

In 1920 the first Czech glass school was founded in Železný Brod, thanks to which the town became a center of glass art.

Mapa

Inspired by Crystal Valley

Crystal Valley

Crystal Valley

In the second half of the 17th century, crystal-clear glass began to be melted on Czech territory, which by its clarity, radiance and hardness was particularly suitable for engraving and grinding. This glass, known as Bohemian crystal, became a domestic specialty and was so in demand in the world that in the first half of the 18th century Bohemia became the most important exporter of glass in the world.

At the same time, there was a growing interest in glass composite stones, and jewellery made of them, the production of which was dominated by the Venetians. The effort of Turnov grinders to achieve the same results led to industrial espionage. The Fišer brothers spent many years in Venice as glass assistants. After returning home in 1711, they made numerous attempts and successfully melted the first clear, diamond-like, lead composition. The so called “Turnov composition” was born and soon competed with Venetian products.

In 1724, the first chandelier workshop was opened in Prácheň near Kamenický Šenov and Bohemian crystal chandeliers with cut trimmings began to gain significant supporters from the ranks of the highest aristocracy very quickly. Almost overnight they became world-famous when they found their way to the seats of the world's most important rulers - from the French King Louis XV, through the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa to the ruler of the Ottoman Empire, Ottoman III. In addition to Italy and France, Bohemia was one of the most important chandelier production centres in Europe.

The history of glass production in Northern Bohemia consists of many fascinating stories that are now reflected in hundreds of living workshops and in the diversity of glass and jewellery production. Visitors to Crystal Valley can watch the handwork of glassmakers in the glassworks in Lindava or Harrachov, in the Jablonec region, visit pearl mashers and admire the centre of the jewellery industry. Production lines in Nový Bor produce tens of thousands of utility glass daily, and nearby are gigantic lighting objects for the world's most famous hotels, palaces and cruise ships. Delicate and fragile Christmas decorations are born in Poniklá on the slopes of Krkonoše (the Giant Mountains), while jewellery and stone workshops are hidden in the Bohemian Paradise. In Zelezny Brod famous glass figures are made. Most of the production from the Liberec region goes to customers far beyond the borders of the Czech Republic and Europe, but we can admire the art of our masters here. 

Glass is the identity and essence of our region which truly belongs here, just like  porcelain does to Meissen, whiskey to Scotland or perfumes to Provence. Welcome to Crystal Valley!