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Glasi Hergiswil
The glass works at Hergiswil, affectionately known as
“Glasi” in Swiss-German, are the oldest such facility
in Switzerland. Originally founded in 1817, the works
have survived many different periods of economic
transition and most notably were saved by the artist
Roberto Niederer in 1975. Visiting the glass works today
enables an up-close encounter with the artisanal
craft of glassmaking. The factory features a superb
museum that has been recognised by the Council of
Europe as one of the “most beautiful” on the continent.
Visitors may experience glass in all its different
dimensions, either playing on glass instruments or being
inspired by stunning visual effects. It is also possible
to watch the expert glassmakers perform their
craft, as they rhythmically work with the hot furnace
and use all their skill to artfully blow glass.
Exhibitions
The exhibit “Formed by Fire” recounts the general
story of glassmaking and the specific history of the
Glasi Hergiswil. Visitors are guided through a labyrinth
of different scenes, all masterfully highlighted
by light and sound. The decorated sets of the individual
rooms reflect the development of the craft in
Hergiswil and the economic ups and downs of the
company.
Blow your own glass
As a unique attraction, all visitors have the exciting
opportunity to create their own masterpiece! With the
support of an expert glassmaker, any interested guest
may enjoy a hands-on experience and blow their own
glass in a small oven. First the glass is smelted just as
HigHligHt
in the large furnace. Then the professional glassmaker
takes the liquid glass with a pipe out of the oven,
forms a ball and readies it for blowing. At that point
the visitor may blow their own ball of glass. After 15
minutes of cooling-off, the precious souvenir is ready
for taking home!
Glasi-Park
Visiting the Glasi Hergiswil is also an adventurous
activity for children! Thanks to the Glasi-Park they
may explore the art of glassmaking in a very entertaining
way. The signature attractions are the 7-metrehigh
marble run, the long slide reinforced by glass
fibres, or the sandbox made from quartz, which also
happens to be the most essential row material in glass.
The Glasi-Park provides an excellent educational experience
for young and old and is accessible free of
charge.
The only glass labyrinth in Switzerland
Let yourself be amazed and perplexed at Switzerland’s
only glass labyrinth! Listen to the sound of glass, follow
the effects of the magical light show, and most of
all, find a way out of the labyrinth without bumping
your head too often! The glass labyrinth is a joint
project by the Glasi Hergiswil and Glas Trösch.
Hergiswiler Glas AG
Seestrasse 12
6052 Hergiswil
Tel. +41 (0)41 632 32 32
Fax +41 (0)41 630 21 57
info@glasi.ch
www.glasi.ch
Bordmagazin 65