Selb brings together porcelain, industrial history, distinctive architecture and a varied cultural programme. At the Porzellanikon, machinery and tableware sit alongside preserved factory kilns; outside, a walking tour and guided city tour lead to more porcelain and design highlights. Theatre, events and leisure activities round out a visit. You can focus on the museum and urban spaces, or plan your stay around a specific event date.

Porzellanikon: Museum and Industrial History

The Porzellanikon Selb is housed in a former Rosenthal factory that closed in 1969. Today, three museums occupy around 9,000 m² of this repurposed industrial site: the European Museum of Industrial Ceramics, the Rosenthal Museum and the European Museum of Technical Ceramics. Across more than 8,000 m², the Porzellanikon Selb showcases old machinery, interactive stations, Rosenthal tableware, technical ceramics and a steam engine. A visit combines exhibitions on porcelain and technical ceramics with the historic factory site.

The round kilns are also part of the tour through the history of industry: of the ten imposing kilns that once stood here, six remain fully intact and can be explored inside. They bring the former production site to life and complement the exhibits with a striking feature of the factory complex.

City Walks and Distinctive Architecture

A walking tour of Selb takes you to the art, culture, old, new and unusual features of this city of porcelain and design. You can set off in person or explore virtually. If you want to focus on the architectural designs in the city, a walk can take you to the Rosenthal headquarters building, artistically enhanced by Otto Piene, and the neighbouring Spiegelhaus, with its mirrored façade designed by Marcello Morandini.

On a guided city tour led by a certified guide, you’ll pass the porcelain fountain on Martin-Luther-Platz and the Porzellangässchen. The lane is paved with porcelain. In this way, the museum’s theme continues in the urban landscape: you’ll encounter distinctive buildings and a unique street surface, while the Porzellanikon focuses on the history of the factory and its collections.

Theatre and Event Dates

The Rosenthal Theatre is located in the centre of Selb, on the slope of the Selbbach valley. Its programme includes opera, operetta, musicals, drama, symphony concerts, chamber concerts, jazz concerts and cabaret. If you’re planning your visit around a performance, check the theatre’s current programme.

Two recurring events also connect culture and porcelain. The International Borderland Film Days have been held at SPEKTRUM Selb every year since 1977, during the week after Easter. The Rosenthal Theatre hosts an annual presentation of the local porcelain industry under the theme “Weeks of White Gold”. If you want to plan your stay around a particular event, check the latest event dates.

Leisure Activities in Selb

Leisure facilities include a pump track and a skate park. The asphalt pump track can be used with mountain bikes, BMX bikes, skateboards, scooters, inline skates, longboards and balance bikes. The different types of equipment listed show how the track is intended to be used; there is also a separate skate park.

The indoor swimming pool in Selb’s Rosenthal Park has a sports pool, adjoining non-swimmer pools with massage jets, and a children’s pool with an elephant slide. Before your visit, check the operator’s latest visitor information. This will help you weigh up the indoor pool and Selb’s other leisure and cultural offerings when planning your day.

In the broader destination of Wunsiedel in the Fichtel Mountains

The Bavarian section of the Eger Cycle Route is around 55 kilometres long and follows the Eger through Bad Weißenstadt, Röslau, Marktleuthen, Thierstein, Selb, Hohenberg a.d.E. and Schirnding. On the Czech side, the route continues via Pomezí nad Ohří and Cheb, where it connects to Czech long-distance cycle route No. 6 / Cyklostezka Ohře. Selb is one of several towns along this cross-border cycle route. Before setting off, check local route information for temporary closures or diversions.

The broader destination of Wunsiedel in the Fichtel Mountains also includes the Häuselloh show quarry in Selb, where granite is quarried and processed. Guided tours are available on request.

Discover more destinations: Selb-Plößberg, Wildenau, Arzberg, Thiersheim, Marktredwitz, Marktleuthen, Weißenstadt, Thierstein.

Back to the main travel overview: Wunsiedel in the Fichtel Mountains.