Among the monuments, the chapel and the relic of the stupa from the area of the Harrachov glassworks now belong

Harrachov - The cultural heritage list has newly included two more parts of the glassworks complex in Harrachov in the Jablonec region. These are the chapel of St. Elizabeth and the relic of a stamping mill for crushing quartz and clay. This was reported by the spokeswoman for the Liberec office of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ), Alžběta Sakařová.

The Harrachov glassworks is the oldest operating one in the Czech Republic and Europe, with the first documented mention dating back to 1712. The site has been a heritage site since 1991. Specifically, it concerns authentically preserved parts, which include the former mansion, the glass showroom, and the grinding shop. The grinding shop was listed among national cultural monuments eight years ago.

Now, two more parts of the complex have been added to the protected heritage. One is the chapel of St. Elizabeth, built in the historicist neo-Gothic style between 1898 and 1902. "The architecturally high-quality and clean design suggests that a significant architect, who collaborated on other buildings initiated by Count Jan Harrach, may have been the author of the design," said Martin Ouhrabka, head of the heritage records department at NPÚ in Liberec. The interior of the chapel is dominated by a mirrored altar, and heritage experts consider the glass bell hanging in the sacristy, which is the small tower of the chapel, to be a unique feature.

The list of monuments has also gained a relic of the stamping mill for crushing quartz and clay. "The stamping mill for crushing quartz and clay located directly in front of the glassworks supplied raw materials for the glassmaking batch and pots. The remnants of the equipment are also preserved – a wooden shaft, metal transmissions, pinions, and grinding stones for crushing the raw material. There is planning documentation for the construction from 1889," added Ouhrabka.

The Harrachov glassworks is a popular tourist destination in the Liberec region. Before the pandemic, it attracted up to 70,000 visitors annually, but last year the visitor numbers were barely half due to coronavirus measures. The enterprise produces luxury drinking and utility glass and crystal chandeliers and employs almost 90 people. The complex also houses a glass museum and shop, an art workshop, a microbrewery, beer baths, a hotel, and a restaurant.