Glasmuseum Bärnbach

About the museum

Glassmaking in Bärnbach dates back to 1805: after coal mining began, a glass manufactory was established here that was the first glassworks to use brown coal as fuel. The fact that glassmakers once felled forests, burned potash and moved on as soon as wood became scarce is as much a part of the story as the invention of the glassblowing pipe.

The present building was created in 1988 for the Styrian provincial exhibition “Glas & Kohle” (Glass & Coal). The architect Klaus Kada used the old generator house of the glassworks as its core and wrapped it on three sides with new structures to show the possibilities of modern glass architecture. Besides the museum, the Glas-Center offers an area for annually changing exhibitions and a glass shop.

The permanent exhibition leads from the beginnings of glass to the present day and covers production and finishing, the working and living world of glassmakers, their customs and the variety of production. On display are valuable historical pieces and rarities, but also humorous items such as the world’s largest Schilcher wine glass, as well as everyday glassware. In the adjoining mouth-blowing glassworks, visitors can watch glassmakers at work.

Highlights

• History of glass from its beginnings to the present
• The working and living world of Styrian glassmakers
• The world’s largest Schilcher wine glass
• Museum building by Klaus Kada (1988) made from the old generator house
• Glassblowing demonstrations in the Bärnbach mouth-blowing glassworks (by registration)
• Glass shop on the premises

Permanent exhibition

• Glasmuseum Bärnbach – Permanent exhibition on the history of glass, glass production and finishing, and the life of glassmakers in Styria.

Founded

1988

Operated by

Verein Steirisches Glaskunstzentrum und Glasmuseum Bärnbach

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Getting there & parking

Walk from the stop is about 400 metres (according to Verbund Linie).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Large glass shop on the premises (all year, Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–1 p.m.).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit