History, modern architecture and art
The museum
Welcome to the fascinating world of glass. The material has been used to create artistic and functional objects for thousands of years. But what makes glass so special? Visitors to the Glass Museum will find out - on a journey through the cultural history of glass, from its beginnings in Mesopotamia to the present day.
The modern architecture of the museum building also shows to the outside world that the work here is contemporary and innovative. The architectural staging of the exhibition can be admired on 1300 m² of exhibition space in the round building. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the glass museum presents exciting special exhibitions with international artists.
As part of the museum's educational programme, we introduce children to glass and the craft in a playful way. We want to encourage them to understand the significance and history of the material and use their creativity and imagination to design their own works of art. We have also created a special section for children on our website. Our friendly museum spirit Durandl will show you the way.
We are celebrating 50 years of the Frauenau Glass Museum!
In 1972, when our then mayor Alfons Hannes, artist Erwin Eisch and master glassmaker Helmut Schneck came up with the idea of setting up a municipal museum in a former sawmill, the foundation stone was laid for today's glass museum. With great vision and passion, those involved realised the museum project and were finally able to bring it to life with the opening in 1975.
At that time, nobody could have guessed how well the glass museum would develop over the years.
A special milestone was reached in 2002, when a project group of designers, architects and scientific conceptualisers took on the task of re-staging the museum. In 2005, the 30th anniversary year, we were finally able to open the new museum with a spectacular staging of the exhibits on double the space.
The museum has been nationalised since 2014 and still plays a very important role in communicating the history of glass in our region and beyond with its unique exhibitions.
Digital and always changing
The
Virtual
Glass Museum
This is where our virtual museum is created. Our digital exhibits are developed specifically for the digital presentation based on existing themes and objects in the museum. The exhibition in our virtual museum is growing gradually.
Click through our virtual building. Have fun!
- = Kids Experience
- = Click point
Kids Experience
- Uranium glass
- Machine glass
- Bixl
- Narcissus
- Glass transport
- Natural glasses
- Hut stove scene
- Middle Ages
- Nuppen cup
Click point
- Uranium glass
- Machine glass
- Bixl
- Narcissus
- Glass transport
- Natural glasses
- Hut stove scene
- Middle Ages
- Nuppen cup
Learning world museum
Discover Explore Create
At the Frauenau Glass Museum, children and young people discover culture and history as well as glass crafts, art and design in a creative way. Social and scientific topics are vividly conveyed by means of original exhibits and their exciting stories.
Special event
Discover Explore Create
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Information on
to the visit
Here you will find compact and transparent information about your visit to the Glass Museum. From our current opening hours to admission prices.
Design competition
Pupils
design
Mug
4th design competition as part of the co-operation between the Zwiesel Glass College and the Frauenau Glass Museum to promote young designers.
Take part now!
News
Currently in Glass museum
Glass:
A timeless
Material.
From the
History
into the future
Creative Easter eggs made of glass - inspired by the museum workshop of the Glass Museum! 🐣
Let your creativity run wild and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of colours and textures.
Decorate glass Easter eggs with acrylic varnish, create artistic accents with cotton buds or nail heads, add extra sparkle with glitter powder and create elegant highlights with relief paste and gold foil.
Make your Easter unique!
✨ Fascinating colours & artistic details! ✨
The glass museum inspires with breathtaking glass art - such as the impressive window by Marc Angus in the industrialisation section.
We are celebrating 50 years of the Frauenau Glass Museum! From the first vision to the significant milestones that have made the museum what it is today. When was your first visit to us? ⏳
A hot cup of tea is also perfect on sunny spring days. ☀️
Just like a visit to the glass museum. Take a look!
Creative time for kids! ✨🔨
Our museum workshop starts a new round! 🎨
There are two dates until the Easter holidays - starting on Wednesday, 19 March 2025, at 15:00. After an exciting exploration tour through the museum, the children will design and experiment in the workshop.
The open workshop is run by Alexander Wallner, glass artist and founding member of the Werkgemeinschaft Männerhaut.
📅 The number of participants is limited! Please register during museum opening hours on 09926-941020.
The history of the Krystallglasfabrik Frauenau I.Gistl is closely linked to the development of the town of Frauenau. From Isidor Gistl's visionary entrepreneurship to the final years of glass production - it left a lasting impression on the region. Discover more about this important era and its social and cultural impulses in our new exhibition in the cabinet.
Spring is taking a break, but there's still plenty to discover in Frauenau! 🌧️ Watch the video and get inspired. Want us to share more tips? 💬
We bid farewell to Theo Sellner.
He was an outstanding representative of the studio glass movement and made an important contribution to giving glass a permanent place in art.
"Those who seek the limits of glass are chasing the horizon," was his credo.
Theo Sellner's art was characterised by his world view as a humanist and pacifist. His "peacekeepers", for example, were intended to watch over peace in the world. Theo Sellner's work is still relevant today.
One such peacekeeper can also be found in the Frauenau Glass Museum and is a reminder of the great artist and his message.
In future, we would like to give you more of a look behind the scenes - and start by introducing you to the people behind the Glass Museum. 📸
Since January, our Great Hall has been shining in new splendour with the exhibition "Form, Colour and Function". But last year's artists also deserve our attention!
Who is behind these fascinating works of art? There will be more artist portraits soon - stay tuned and follow us!
And until then? Don't miss the new special exhibition - it's worth a visit! 🔎
Artists up close 🎨✨
Last year's artist portraits went down so well with you - so it's time for a new round! Look forward to exciting insights into the art scene, starting with G. Jo Hruschka from Atelier Männerhaut in Zwiesel.
Subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything! 📲
💎✨ Jewellery with a history - from the treasure chest in the attic to the museum: the "Jewellery Glass" study collection preserves the unique legacy of Franz Josef Ginzel from Gablonz an der Neisse. Every bead, every detail is full of history - it's worth a visit to discover all the hidden treasures!
