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

Granát Turnov

Granát Turnov is the world’s largest producer of original jewelry featuring Czech garnets, bringing together the artistry of master goldsmiths since 1953. As the sole owner of the mines and holder of the “Czech Garnet” trademark, it guarantees the absolute authenticity and origin of these gemstones, which have been considered a national treasure for centuries.

The cooperative proudly builds on the rich history of Turnov’s jewelry-making tradition and, over the course of seven decades, has created the most extensive collection of jewelry, ranging from classic styles to modern designs. The brand’s significance and prestige are confirmed by the fact that its exclusive products, including unique glass objects featuring garnets, adorn the collections of many prominent statesmen and world figures.

A visit to the Granát Gallery in the heart of Turnov offers a fascinating glimpse into the entire journey of a gemstone—from its mining and cutting to its precise setting in jewelry, a process in which, even with the use of modern technologies, honest handcraftsmanship prevails. In the gallery’s inspiring setting, you can not only admire rare exhibits and art exhibitions but also try your hand at selected goldsmithing techniques, taking home an unforgettable experience connected to the magical power of the Czech garnet.







Granát Gallery Hours:

Monday

10:00 AM – 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Tuesday – Friday

9:00 AM – 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Saturday only during the season from May to September 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Náměstí Českého ráje 4, 511 01 Turnov