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 Trail

The Liberec science center iQLANDIA launches the Crystal Trail. The new interactive game in the expositions will draw visitors into the world of glass and its use. In cooperation with Preciosa, they have prepared a trail in iQLANDIA, at the end of which visitors can light a brand new installation "Molecules".

More than 300 years ago, Czech crystal was born in Northern Bohemia. Later, the masters of glassmakers created the world's first cut stone, the first majestic luminaire and the first crystal jewel. This is also the root of the Preciosa group, whose portfolio now consists of crystal components, lighting installations, jewelry, glass components and glass beads.

"We are the world's leading glass producer. For decades, we have been bringing new ideas, technologies and innovations to glassmaking that give rise to Preciosa Group products. Science and research are very close to us. Thanks to them, we are shifting the possibilities of working with glass. Cooperation with iQLANDIA contains everything we perceive as key elements of our work, combining traditional glassmaker methods, original design with modern materials and technologies that shape the present and future of the glass industry. We are pleased with the result of our synergy and believe that visitors to the science center will appreciate it," says Lucie Karlová, Ceo of Preciosa Lighting.

The Crystal Trail also gratefully acknowledged by its hosts. "iQLANDIA shows the principles of physical events, popularizes science and technical disciplines. And glassmaking, advances in glass technologies and unique products have finally found their place thanks to the support of the Preciosa Group in iQLANDIA. Thanks to the partnership, a unique Crystal Trail was created," says Pavel Coufal, Director of the iQLANDIA Science Centre in Liberec.

The Crystal Trail tells the story of Czech glass in detail. Visitors can learn in seven places what glass consists of, how it is produced or what role natural elements such as earth, fire, water and air play in its creation. Those interested in the physical properties of glass will be enthused by the optical cabinet, in which they can try out optical instruments. Elsewhere, visitors can take a coloring test, for example. Those who want to know about the use of glass in medicine and construction will also enjoy it.

The culmination of the entire new exhibition is an interactive lighting installation by Preciosa Lighting, called "Molecules", which represents a combination of advanced glass production technology and artistic representation in the form of a crystal design object. The installation consists of 167 crystal balls, is 9.5 meters high and weighs 220 kilograms. "The design solution of the immersive luminaire is a symbol of the region's wealth. The colors of the hand-blown components refer to crystal valley – blue color symbolizes water, amber yellow glass sand and green forests. White balls depict a cornerstone with a message about the important role of science and innovation," says martin prokeš, senior designer of the company, who designed the original installation. The molecules of the success of Czech crystal are its unique optical and aesthetic properties, the skill of master glassmakers and traditional methods combined with the use of state-of-the-art technologies. It is thanks to them that this light installation offers a charming and unforgettable experience. When completing all the tasks during the Crystal Trail tour, visitors to the exposition will receive a password, which they enter to activate a spectacular light show.

 

22.7.2021