Porzellanikon - Bavarian State Museum for Porcelain

FICHTELGEBIRGE AND PORCELAIN (DVD Porzellanikon Oberfranken Bayern)

FICHTELGEBIRGE AND PORCELAIN upper Franconia Bavaria Germany
Fichtelgebirge and porcelain -- a unique fusion in the heart of Europe! -- Imagine a cyclops randomly hurling enormous rocks as high as houses - and you have a picture of the landscape in the Fichtelbirge . Generations of people living within this „granite horseshoe made it the centre of European porcelain manufacture. Even today, designers, craftsmen and workers are inspired by this breath-taking landscape, which is portrayed in their products of world-renowned manufactuers of „white gold.

Carolus Magnus Hutschenreuter, who originated fromThuringia, laid the foundation stone for the porcelain industry in Fichtelgebirge. It was in 1814 that he started building a small factory in Hohenberg upon (a.d.) Eger, a town on the Bohemian border. In 1856 his son, Lorenz, branched out and established his own porcelain factory in Selb. After that, the region between Weiden and Coburg experienced a genuine boom: Uncountable porcelain factories emerged and allowed small farming villages to become industrial settlements.

Manufacturers such as Rosenthal, Hutschenreuther, Heinrich, Seltmann or Winterling made German porcelain known throughout the world. At an early stage, renowned sculptors and designers cooperated closely with the arts department in the factories. Since the Second World War, the products had stood out not least because of their excellent design. In 1980, over 18,000 people were working in the Bavarian porcelain industry, predominantly in the Fichtelgebirge. North-East Bavaria is still the capital of the European porcelain industry.
In the mood for some porcelain? Curious about Bavaria´s first industrial museum? Interested in high-tech? Or perhaps you are a fan of German cuisine and its home decor? Then this is the right address for you! Porzellanikon: Unique in Europe
Four museums, two locations, one subject: Porcelain!

A journey along the porcelain route will take you to other special treats in this region.

Visit the Fichtelgebirgsmuseum in Wunsiedel with its show workshops and large-scale collection of minerals - proof of a century-old traditional mining trade. Or take a look at the folkloristic museum of farming utensils in Bergnersreuth with its open-air exhibits depicting farming diligence.
Or how about visiting the Egerlandmuseum in Marktredwitz and see how the former culture on both sides of today´s border is being kept alive.
The Fichtelgebirge is the ideal starting point to begin your leisure activities.
The highest peaks tower over 1,000 meters high and offer a fantastic view of all sides
There is something for everyone anytime of the year.
„Fichtelgebirge & Porcelain

Enjoy the Fichtelgebirge and step inside the world of porcelain.

Petra Werner
Curator German PorcelainMuseum