Glashütte: Chapel and Glassmaking History

Glashütte tells the story of two distinctive aspects of its local history: St. Joseph’s Chapel in the center and a settlement whose development was closely linked to glass production and the use of the surrounding forests. The chapel draws attention to specific features of its furnishings; the history of the glassworks can be traced through a dated sequence of its founding, closure and demolition. If you like to put culture and local history at the heart of your choice of destination, Glashütte offers several tangible ways to explore them.

St. Joseph’s Chapel in the center

St. Joseph’s Chapel is located in the center of Glashütte. Its furnishings include a painted wooden tabernacle and a crucifix from the 18th century. The two items offer different points of interest: the tabernacle for its painted woodwork, and the crucifix for its historical period. This makes the local history tangible through specific cultural details.

Glass production and settlement history

The glassworks was founded in 1701 with the approval of the Hohenzollern prince and Wald Abbey. It operated until 1881; its buildings were demolished in 1887. The closure and demolition were therefore six years apart—a distinction that clarifies the historical sequence. The settlement developed around the glassworks as workers settled nearby. Glass production is therefore also part of the area’s development: together with the use of the forests, it shaped the village’s historical identity.

A book about local history

If you would like to learn more about local history, Wolfgang Wiese’s 2001 book “Glashütte - von der Fabriksiedlung zum Bauerndorf” offers a specific title to explore. The title itself contrasts the factory settlement with the farming village, summing up two distinctive stages in the area’s development. The book is available from the municipal administration; check availability before your trip.

The forest as a distinct regional context

The wider destination of Wald offers further cultural and landscape-related themes. The five-kilometer Weiherwanderweg connects several historic monastery ponds in the municipality of Wald. The Rund um Wald (Nordroute) starts at Wald Town Hall and leads through the Forstwald and the Schonwald Riedle; it is marked “W1” on the free cycling and hiking map of the Northern Lake Constance holiday region. The contrast helps you choose a theme: the Weiherwanderweg connects historic ponds, while the northern route passes through named woodland areas. The “W1” marker helps you find the northern route on the map.

The KunstKonvent Gallery also adds its own cultural dimension to Wald. It has been based at the “Neue Kunst am Ried” site since 2017, where it presents changing exhibitions as well as a large sculpture that is permanently on display. The exhibition program thus brings together two forms: changing presentations and a large sculpture that is permanently on display. Wald is also on the western route of the Upper Swabian Baroque Route.

When choosing your accommodation, you can take your travel interests as a guide: would you like to focus on Glashütte’s local history, or also explore the cultural and landscape-related themes of the wider destination of Wald?

Discover more destinations: Riedetsweiler

Return to the wider travel overview: Wald.