Historisches Glasapparatemuseum Cursdorf
Municipal museum in Cursdorf showing historic gas discharge tubes and X-ray tubes made locally, which are lit up in demonstrations.
About the museum
Cursdorf lies high above the Schwarza valley near the Rennsteig and was long shaped by glass processing. Glass apparatus making played a special role: Robert Götze, who grew up in Cursdorf and was a student of the tube pioneer Heinrich Geißler from Neuhaus am Rennweg, founded his own workshop in Leipzig in 1876 and brought his nephews from the Preßler family there for training. Around 1900, Otto Preßler in Leipzig and Rudolf Preßler in Cursdorf went into business for themselves.
The three firms gained an international reputation with thermometers, X-ray and gas discharge tubes, photocells and physics teaching aids. Many of the artfully handmade tubes from Cursdorf can now be seen in the Historisches Glasapparatemuseum, which was founded on October 29, 1999 and is run by the municipality of Cursdorf.
The museum is housed in the newly redesigned Dorfgemeinschaftshaus (village community hall) on Ortsstraße. Its special feature: the tubes are not only exhibited but demonstrated in operation, so that visitors can experience their lighting effects and how they work first-hand. A short demonstration is included in the admission; more extensive demonstrations are available for groups that register.
Highlights
- Working demonstrations of historic gas discharge tubes
- X-ray tubes and physics teaching aids made in Cursdorf
- History of the glass apparatus makers Götze and Preßler
- Connection to Heinrich Geißler, the inventor of the Geissler tube
- Founded
- 1999
- Operated by
- Gemeinde Cursdorf
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Holders of the electronic guest card or the Thüringer Wald Card, users of the bike charging station, people with a disability ID |
| Children & teens | €2.50free up to age 6 · Children aged 7 and up €2.50 (reduced €2), children under 7 free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3With disability ID |
| Groups (10+ people) | €3 per personFrom 10 people; children aged 7 and up €2 per person. |
| Families | €11At most 2 adults and 3 children; with guest card or Thüringer Wald Card €9. |
| Large demonstration – adults | €6Reduced €5; groups of 10 or more people €5 per person. |
| Large demonstration – children aged 7 and up | €4Reduced €3; in groups of 10 or more people €3 per person. |
| Demonstration for groups of up to 7 people (flat rate) | €45 |
Regular admission includes a short demonstration; the large demonstration costs extra.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Cursdorf is connected to the Thüringer Bergbahn.
Because of maintenance work on the steep section of the Bergbahn, a replacement bus (line 313) runs hourly from July 13 to mid-December 2026; the flat section and the Schwarzatalbahn operate normally.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Demonstrations of the historic glass apparatus only after advance registration by phone, preferably two days in advance; groups of 8 or more people, smaller groups of up to 7 people pay a flat rate. It is best to register your visit by phone (036705 62070). |
