Glashütte can be understood through two cultural-historical themes: St. Joseph’s Chapel in the town centre and the history of the glassworks, around which the settlement developed. The chapel is distinguished by specific furnishings; in the case of the glassworks, its founding, closure and the later demolition of its buildings are treated as separate stages. This gives the place a clear historical focus without merging the chapel and industrial history into a single narrative.
St. Joseph’s Chapel and Historical Reading
St. Joseph’s Chapel is located in the centre of Glashütte. Its furnishings include a painted wooden tabernacle and an 18th-century crucifix. These two details create different points of emphasis: the tabernacle adds a specific material and design dimension, while the crucifix is dated to a particular period. Together, they give the chapel a distinctive art- and cultural-historical profile.
For further reading, Wolfgang Wiese’s 2001 book “Glashütte - von der Fabriksiedlung zum Bauerndorf” is available from the municipal administration. If you would like to include the book in your preparations, check locally before your trip to see if it is available.
From Glassworks to Settlement
In 1701, a glassworks was founded in Glashütte with the permission of the Hohenzollern prince and Wald Monastery. It operated until 1881; its buildings were demolished in 1887. The closure and demolition therefore did not take place in the same year: six years separated the two events. This chronological distinction helps to understand the history of the works in its individual stages.
The settlement developed around the glassworks, as its workers settled nearby. Glass production and the use of the forest are closely linked to the village’s historical identity. The local history therefore encompasses the development of a specific industry, the settlement of its workers and the use of the forest as part of the same broader context.
Further Themes in the Overarching Destination of Wald
The wider destination of Wald offers additional nature and culture themes. The five-kilometre-long Weiherwanderweg connects several historic monastic ponds in the municipality of Wald. The Rund um Wald (Nordroute) passes through Forstwald and Riedle protected forest. The two routes offer different points of reference: the Weiherwanderweg is described by its length and the ponds it connects, while the northern route is defined by the forest areas it traverses.
On the free cycling and hiking map of the Nördlicher Bodensee holiday region, the northern route is marked “W1”. If you plan to use the northern route, check the current map, as its designation may change. In Wald, the KunstKonvent Gallery has been based at the “Neue Kunst am Ried” site since 2017. The exhibitions change; one large-scale sculpture is permanently on display. Wald is also on the western route of the Upper Swabian Baroque Route.
Choose the Right Focus
When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide on the destination that best suits you: would you like to focus on Glashütte for its chapel and glass history, or base your choice on hiking and art in the wider destination of Wald? Then compare the accommodation’s exact address with your own travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Riedetsweiler
Go to the wider travel overview: Wald.
