Glass Museum, Passau

About

The Passau Glass Museum has the largest collections in the world of European art glass, Bohemian glass, and glass made by Johann Loetz. The museum is listed as a "Nationally Valuable Cultural Property". It is located at Schrottgasse 2, D-94032 on the Rathaus or town hall square in the old town of Passau. It is connected to the Hotel Wilder Mann. The museum was founded by Georg Hoeltl. It covers five floors across four buildings which have been joined together. The top floor, the size of a soccer field, is the first exhibition hall. Hoeltl also owns the Hotel Wilder Mann, to which the museum is attached. The museum was opened on March 15, 1985, with US astronaut Neil Armstrong as the guest of honor.

The museum's collection of European art glass includes over 30,000 pieces, 17,000 of which are on display. It includes the largest collection in the world of Bohemian glass from Bohemia and Silesia. The areas were rich in silica, limestone, potash and other materials used in making high quality glass. Bohemian glass was made in different styles and often involves crystal engraving, hand enameling, and iridescence. The Passau Glass Museum also includes the largest collection of glass made...