Kingdom of Crystal

The so-called Kingdom of Crystal (Swedish Glasriket ) in the southeast of Sweden in the historic province of Småland is a center of glass art. As the capital of the city of Växjö is true in the West Kingdom of Crystal with her ​​glass museum. Characteristic of the Kingdom of Crystal but are also small, dominated by a local glassworks places like Kosta, Orrefors, Nybro or Lessebo and its game-rich coniferous forests and countless lakes full of fish.

The first glassworks in Småland was built around the year 1628, when Karl Karlsson Gyllenhielm ( half-brother of King Gustav II Adolf) the glassblower Paul Gaukunkel from Germany or the Netherlands got to use the raw materials of Småland, which were ideal for glass production (including quartz sand and firewood). Over time, created more than 100 glass factories, of which 14 still exist and can be visited. There are also a number of smaller studio glassworks, operated by one or more artists.

To date, the glass is brought from the Kingdom of Crystal with the typical Swedish design in conjunction. In addition to use glass (drinking glasses, vases, etc.) also works of art are produced in many glassworks.

The most famous glassworks ( now belonging to a group ) are Kosta Boda and Orrefors -. Kosta Boda, founded in 1742, is the oldest active lodge today. (Founded in 1898 ) Orrefors is known for its innovative new glass techniques such as Graal.

In Orrefors is the Riksglasskolan, the internationally renowned school for the training of glassblowers, glass artists and entrepreneurs in this industry. Mostly Scandinavian students study at the school, instruction is but open world.

Tourism

The Kingdom of Crystal is a popular tourist destination. Since 2000, serves its own tourism company of eleven glass works the extensive offers. In almost every glassworks in the Kingdom of Crystal, it is possible to watch the glassblowers at work. In addition to the plant sale many lodges offer in the summer, a typical food under the name " Hyttsill " (Swedish sill = herring ). This is usually taken after work together in a big company to himself. When Hyttsill the food is prepared in the metallurgical furnaces, which are still warm from work.

Glassworks in the Kingdom of Crystal (2011)

  • Bergdala ( After bankruptcy reopened in March 2013 a new trainer )
  • Boda
  • Johansfors
  • Kosta
  • Johans Konstglas
  • Mats Jonasson
  • Nybro
  • Orrefors
  • Pukeberg
  • Rosdala
  • Sea
  • A coarse
  • Transjö Hytta
  • Åfors
Temperate coniferous forest Atlantic herring
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