Kristiánov Celebrates Its 250th Anniversary
In the heart of the Jizera Mountains, the place where the history of one of the most famous glassmaking families—the Riedels—began 250 years ago will come to life this year. Kristiánov, a settlement that no longer exists, commemorates the anniversary of its founding with the traditional Glass Festival, which will take place on Saturday, September 5.
The special guest will be Georg J. Riedel, a direct descendant of the settlement’s founders and a representative of the tenth generation of the glassmaking dynasty. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet him in person during a public discussion and a commemorative ceremony at the forest cemetery.
The Florian Glassworks’ mobile glass furnace will be in operation all day, allowing guests to observe the traditional glass-making process. There will also be demonstrations of other crafts, as well as booths featuring regional products, glassware, and jewelry.
To mark the anniversary, a comic-style brochure titled “250 Years of Kristiánov” has been created and will be officially unveiled during the celebrations. Plans also include the minting of commemorative coins and a collaborative effort to create an anniversary glass mosaic.
The festivities will include a musical program featuring the folk ensemble “Šafrán,” the fairground band “Katastrofální předpověď počasí,” the group “Zlatý holky,” and the country and bluegrass band “Blue Apples.”
Children can look forward to fairy tales, creative workshops, horseback rides, a historic carousel, and zip-lining over the Kamenický Stream with mountain rescuers.
Practical Information
· When: Saturday, September 5, 2026
· Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
· Admission: free
Kristiánov is a place where the history of Czech glassmaking is still vividly celebrated. We invite you to experience a day full of traditions, crafts, music, and stories that have been an integral part of the Jizera Mountains for 250 years.
