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
LIGHT ON
FOR YOUR
IDEA!
5th design competition for school pupils - organised by the Glasfachschule Zwiesel and the Glasmuseum Frauenau.
Design a creative glass light fitting - a real eye-catcher for the living room.
Take part now!
News
Currently in Glass museum
Glass:
A timeless
Material.
From the
History
into the future
Golden times at the table. ⭐️
Another object from our treasure trove. This fine crystal glass napkin holder comes from Haida in northern Bohemia and was made around 1870. Gilded enamel painting gives this everyday object an almost regal aura.
A piece of culture from a time when even the smallest things deserved great care.
#GlassMuseum #GlassArt #HandcraftExperience #DesignWithHistory
#MuseumsLove #TraditionMeetsDesign #In love with detail #Craftsmanship
#BavarianForest #MuseumTip #DiscoverCulture
#Handicraft tradition
A logo is like a cut piece of glass: reduced to the essentials, but full of depth.
Our visual identity summarises what we stand for - and what glass stands for as a cultural material: clarity, complexity, changeability.
Tag someone who would love these moments.🏷️
#MuseumReel #MyCameraRoll #GlassArtEverywhere
#CultureExperience #AestheticsEveryday life #MuseumMoments #GalleryWallInspo
Sometimes the true story of an exhibition only becomes apparent when you look through the eyes of artists - every detail comes to life and tells its own story. 🚂
#GlassMuseum #SeeingArt #ExperiencingArt #GlassArt #LovingDetail #ArtAndCrafts #BavarianForest #Museumsmoment
#InspirationIn everyday life #MuseumLove
Seen here today - experience it live tomorrow? ✨
#MuseumReel #MyCameraRoll #GlassArtEverywhere
#CultureExperience #AestheticsEveryday life #MuseumMoments #GalleryWallInspo
👁 What do artists see when they walk through our exhibition?
Maybe not what you see.
#GlassMuseum #SeeingArt #ExperiencingArt #GlassArt #LovingDetail #ArtAndCrafts #BavarianForest #Museumsmoment
#InspirationIn everyday life #MuseumLove
What remains when the fire goes out? 🔥
We show pieces from our treasure chest that breathe history.
These seemingly inconspicuous fragments come from so-called harbours - fireproof containers in which glass was melted. Their lifespan was limited: As soon as they became too worn, they had to be replaced to ensure the quality of the glass.
They tell of a profound change in glass production: of glassworks that had to close. Of furnaces that have gone out forever. Of a craft that used to characterise everyday life and has now disappeared in many places.
These fragments are silent witnesses to an entire era.
🔍 Have you ever been to a glassworks? Or do you have memories of glassmaking in your region?
Seeing through the eyes of an artist means being open to the unexpected. 👨🏼🎨
What details caught your eye during your last visit?
Share them with us in the comments.
#GlassMuseum #SeeingArt #ExperiencingArt #GlassArt #LovingDetail #ArtAndCrafts #BavarianForest #Museumsmoment
#InspirationIn everyday life #MuseumLove
There is more than aesthetics behind each of our design elements - it tells something about us. 🧡
About our self-image as a museum, our connection to the material glass, to the region, to history.
Have you already realised what the shape in the post stands for or were you surprised today? 👇🏽
So small and yet so big in detail. 🔍
Behind every Bixl is not just tobacco history, but the signature of a glassmaker. Our exhibition doesn't just show objects - it shows character, technology and individuality. If you look closely, you will recognise that design is not a trend here, but a tradition.
#GlassArt #HandcraftExperience #DesignWithHistory
#MuseumsLove #TraditionMeetsDesign #In love with detail #Craftsmanship
#BavarianForest #MuseumTip #DiscoverCulture
Wine is almost always drunk from a glass. 🍷
But how often do we really think about what the glass does to the wine?
The wine tasting at @eisch_glass allows you to experience exactly that: how shape, material and precision craftsmanship change the flavour.
As a glass museum, we don't just tell the history of glass - we want to show how alive and close to everyday life this material still is today.
That is why today we are looking beyond our own showrooms and celebrating the living glass tradition here in Frauenau.
