Historical facts about the "Wanderglashütten" (migratory glassworks)

As early as at the beginning of the 15th century the art of glassmaking gained a foothold in the Bavarian-Bohemian border mountain range, particularly since the necessary basic materials such as quartz and wood were abundant. With the lordship's permission the glassmakers ran simple glass manufacturing facilities as "Wanderhütten" (migratory glassworks), which were relocated when the on-site resources were used up because they were in need of huge amounts of firewood and wood for potash.

When the supply of wood drew to a close in the vicinity of such a "Wanderglashütte" it "followed" the forest. As a result, in the undisturbed forest, which people named "Nordwald", "Bohemian Forest" or "Bavarian Forest", cleared insular areas emerged . These areas served as new ground for the foundation of settlements. Such a glassworks provided labor for woodchoppers, "Aschenbrenner" (workers, who produced the potash), prospectors of quartz crystal, "Pochermänner" (workers, who controlled the crushing mills), "Flusssieder" (workers, who seethed the potash), fomenters, smelters and glassmakers.

Scheiterhacker, Aschenbrenner, Quarzschürfer, Pochermänner, Flusssieder, Schürer, Schmelzer und Glasmacher.

In the second part of the 18th century, the glassworks had to close down in consequence of the shortage of wood and sales difficulties. Only since after 1800, when the demand for luxuriant glass surged, several decades of controlled forestry had ensured that the commodity "wood" was growing again and the production of potash, demolishing the forest, became unnecessary owing to the innovative glass melter "Soda", several glassworks revived once more (e. g. Schwarzenthal 1821 - 1859).

The glassworks mainly manufactured the beads of rosaries, called "Paternosterln" or "Peterl". Later, more and more glassworks produced "Edelglas" (high-quality glass), "Hohlglas" (glass containers), chandeliers and everyday commodities. There were hardly any limits to the commodity "glass" and the gaffers' creativity. Out of the remains of the glass a unique art was developing: "Das geschundene Glas". The staff of the glassworks was allowed to utilize the leftovers, remaining due to the careful and sparing handling of the glass, the "herausgeschundene" glass, to their own use. Thereby, many a piece of art was formed. 

The glassworks that are still existing today are mainly producing precious crystal glass, which is in parts manufactured into white or colored mouth-blown "Hohlglas" (glass containers). The visitors of the glassworks have the opportunity to watch pieces of art emerge out of the glowing compound. The gaffers, glass cutters, engravers, "Glaskugler" and so on willingly demonstrate their skills to the audience.