Glasriket

Introducing Glasriket

The 'Kingdom of Crystal' (www.glasriket.se), with its hypnotic glassblowing workshops hidden in among dense forests, is the most visited area in Sweden outside Stockholm and Göteborg. There are at least 11 glass factories (look for glasbruk signs), most with long histories: Kosta, for example, was founded in 1742. The immense popularity of this region is not only with northern Europeans - lots of Americans tour the country tracing their ancestors, many of whom emigrated from this area at the end of the 19th century.

The glassworks have similar opening hours, usually 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm Saturday and noon to 4pm Sunday. Expert glass designers produce some extraordinary avant-garde pieces, often with a good dollop of Swedish humour involved. Factory outlets have substantial discounts on seconds (around 30% to 40% off), and larger places can arrange shipping to your home country.

There's a Glasriket Pass (Skr95), which allows free admission into 'hot shops' and museums, and discounts on purchases and hyttsill parties; but unless you're intending to go completely glass crazy, it doesn't really add up.

Most of Glasriket is in Kalmar län, with some in Kronobergs län.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009