Im Freien Felde 5 | 38895 Blankenburg | OT Derenburg
Glasmanufaktur Harzkristall Glasmanufaktur Harzkristall Fascination for 6,000 years
Glass is one of the oldest raw materials created by man. Glass was already being made in Egypt almost 6,000 years ago. Over 2,000 years ago, the glassmaker's pipe was invented, which revolutionized glass production. This tool is still used today. The history of our manufactory begins in 1946 with the foundation of the hollow glass refining cooperative Wernigerode as a so-called resettlers' cooperative. From this, the VEB Glaswerk Harzkristall Derenburg was founded in 1949.
Origin of the glass manufactory
Glass consists of 75% pure sand. Other components are soda ash, lime and potash. Today, we no longer melt the glass ourselves, but buy in pre-melted glass nuggets. These are then melted down in our furnace and can then be made into vases, lamps and drinking glasses. You can experience exactly how this works up close and personal with us!
The building was not always a glassworks...
In 1946, Sudeten Germans who had been expelled from their homeland founded the Wernigerode Hollow Glass Refining Cooperative as a so-called resettlers' cooperative.
Founded in 1949 as VEB Glaswerk Derenburg by Sudeten German glassmakers, it is the only glassworks in Saxony-Anhalt and the northernmost glassworks in Germany. The present building is an old substation built in 1900.
In the 1960s, the hut was affiliated with the Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle, along with other arts and crafts operations. In the next decades, the hut produced simply beautiful utility glass.
After reunification, the glass manufactory became the property of the Treuhand. A cooperation was established with the University of Art+Design.
In 1993, the state of Saxony-Anhalt took over the glassworks as Staatliche Glasmanufaktur Harzkristall GmbH. With this takeover, a craft rich in tradition and unique in the region could be preserved.
On October 1, 2004, the Harzkristall glass manufactory was privatized. In the meantime, extensive maintenance and modernization measures were carried out.
In 2006, the glass manufactory received the Saxony-Anhalt Tourism Award for its tourism reorientation.
Since 2013, Harzkristallhas belonged to the Gerhard Bürger Foundation, which is committed to promoting science and research, art and culture, and the protection of historical monuments, as well as promoting education, vocational training, and student aid.
In2016, the foundation hosted the first 1st International Glass Design Competition.
In 2017, the new construction of the melting furnace and the reconstruction of the EXPERIENCE tour with the addition of a cinema took place.
In2018, the 2nd International Glass Design Competition of the Foundation was successfully held.
2019 New construction of the furnace and renewed technical expansion of the guidance technology for the EXPERIENCE tour.