Hannes and Silvia Kisslinger are the eleventh generation of their family at the head of the internationally successful company Kisslinger Kristallglas, where the ancient tradition of glass-blowing continues today. Visitors interested in learning more can visit Rattenberg to see expert glass-blowers in action.
The pretty town of Rattenberg, officially the smallest town in Austria, is certainly not short of glass manufacturers and glass-blowing workshops. Despite its tiny population of just 450, this town in the east of Tirol has for many centuries been a hub of glassmaking and has been home to Kisslinger Kristallglas since 1946. However, the history of this internationally successful company reaches right back to the 17th century. Today, Hannes and Silvia Kisslinger are the eleventh generation of their family at the helm of Kisslinger Kristallglas. Like their predecessors they too are determined to preserve the ancient craft of glass-blowing while at the same time striving to develop new ideas and ways of processing this fine, fragile material.
The magic of glass-blowing
From jewellery to vases, candlesticks to sculptures, trophies to tableware, classic to modern – Kisslinger Kristallglas stocks a huge range of glistening hand-made glass items catering for all tastes and occasions.
Those interested in learning more about this delicate craft are invited to come to Rattenberg and watch the expert glassblowers at Kisslinger Kristallglas as they go about their work, which also includes painting and engraving. Little has changed in the manufacturing process since the first glass pipe was produced around 2,000 years ago. And when the time comes to pull the glowing red glass out of the 1200°C furnace – that is when the true magic of glass-blowing really begins.
The pretty town of Rattenberg, officially the smallest town in Austria, is certainly not short of glass manufacturers and glass-blowing workshops…
