Four Seasons Hotel Prague tells the tale of famous Czech crystal (Czech Republic)
Four Seasons Hotel Prague has teamed up with the renowned Rückl glassworks to offer its guests an exclusive experience and chance to discover a unique aspect of Czech culture – Bohemia crystal glassmaking.
Four Seasons Hotel Prague tells the tale of famous Czech crystal (Czech Republic)
Four Seasons Hotel Prague has teamed up with the renowned Rückl glassworks to offer its guests an exclusive experience and chance to discover a unique aspect of Czech culture – Bohemia crystal glassmaking.
The art of glassmaking in factories in the Bohemia region dates back to the Renaissance and is now available for guests to experience close up in Nižbor, Central Bohemia.
“The Czech Republic boasts not only a centuries-old glassmaking tradition, but also the best master glasscutters. At Rückl we pride ourselves on making traditional hand-cut glass and we work with it in all our collections. I am pleased that foreign guests of Four Seasons are interested in the work of our masters too – it proves the level of our craftsmanship is truly global,”says Rony Plesl, artistic director of the Rückl glassworks. "Thanks to this kind of partnership between Czech and international companies like Four Seasons, we can bring Czech art closer to more people.”
“The philosophy of Four Seasons globally is to introduce new experiences to our guests, something that will make their stay even more pleasant while bringing them new knowledge. The Rückl glassworks embodies one of the oldest Czech crafts and at the same time proves by its worldwide success what cultural richness, tradition and talent can be found in the Czech glassmaking industry. We want to give our guests the opportunity to peek under the lid of experienced glassmakers’ work and to experience the process of producing something unique and magical,”says Stephane Gras, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Prague.
For those guests keen to delve into this most authentic part of Czech culture, a luxury limousine will collect them from the Hotel and whisk them directly to the factory in the picturesque Berounka valley, just a 35-minute drive from the centre of Prague. On a private tour of the glassworks, guests will be transported back in time to 1846 where they will learn from a guide about the history of the original production of world-famous Czech crystal and where it stands today. They will meet experienced glassmakers, see the magic of blowing glass, and witness the intricacies of manual grinding and engraving.
Another highlight of the trip includes a visit to the art studio, where the beautiful works, including the many decorative crystal products, that have elevated the Czech Republic into the world’s preeminent crystal glass producer are on display. With the help of master glassmakers, guests can blow their own glass product as a souvenir or purchase a desired piece directly in the Rückl glass shop.
