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Pačinek Glass

05 October 2021 / 13 Comments

Pačinek Glassworks, Czech Republic - decorated garden and church

Pačinek Glassworks was one of the greatest experiences during our trip through the "Crystal Valley" in the north of the Czech Republic. What amazing creativity and skill! Visiting the jewelled garden and the decorated church is an experience.

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Pačinek glassworks

The Pačinek Glassworks specialises in artistic glassblowing and revolves around the designs of internationally renowned glassblower Pačinek, although several skilled glassblowers, cutters and painters work here. It produces glass art to order, and in between tests the limits with its own imaginative creations.

Pačinek glasbruk - glaskonst

Pačinek Glassworks is located at the town of Cvikov, about 12 kilometres from Novy Bor. The glassworks is located in northern Bohemia, about 13 kilometres north of Novy Bor. Prague.

The garden of the Pačinek glassworks

When we arrived at the Pačinek Glassworks, Mr Pačinek was busy with a piece he couldn't let go of immediately, and we strolled around the garden by ourselves. Wow! We didn't think we had a specific interest in glass, but this really was glass in a new way.

Pačinek glasbruk - glaskonst

The garden is full of sculptures and creations, many inspired by the animals and nature around us.

Pačinek glasbruk - glaskonst

You are always welcome to stroll around the garden free of charge and without prior notice, and if you fall in love with any of the installations, you can buy them. This will give Mr Pačinek the opportunity to make a new creation to fill the garden.

Pačinek glasbruk
Pačinek glasbruk
Pačinek glasbruk - djur i glas

In the garden there is also a smaller area built as a playground for children. Here is a small cave with the sign "peklo" (hell). As I don't understand Czech, I was not discouraged, but down there, glass sculptures of a more sinister nature awaited me!

Pačinek glasbruk

Workshop and exhibition

When Mr Pačinek finished the workshop, he immediately came out and welcomed us in his warm, open and personal way. We had a look inside the workshop and Mr Pačinek told us about the production, before it was time to see the exhibition and shop.

Glasblåsare
One of Mr Pačinek's employees

Mr Pačinek told us that he wants his designs to be for ordinary people. Therefore, if you go to the shop, the prices are surprisingly humane. By contrast, the works are sold at much higher prices in various galleries around the world, where the gallery owners also have to earn money in between.

Mr Pačinek glasbruk
Mr Pačinek in the showroom/shop

There are endless glasses, vases, bowls and sculptures inspired by birds, mammals and fish.

Glas rocka
Glas fågel
Glas manet

We heard about the visit of the Queen of Bhutan to Pačinek Glassworks. She had seen the works and specifically requested a visit here. In her honour, Mr Pačinek had a vase made (you can see a copy of it on the left below). After the visit, the municipality found it a bit embarrassing that their crooked road was not suitable for queens - and the village now has a better road!

Pačinek glasbruk
Pačinek glasbruk

Church decorated with the help of Pačinek glassworks

Right next to the Pačinek glassworks is a village church (The Holy Cross Exaltation Church). In the Czech Republic, the population is possibly even less Christian than in Sweden, and the church was almost always empty. During the pandemic, sales were down and the glassblowers were too busy. Could the priest possibly accept that they used the church as an exhibition space?

The Holy Cross Exaltation Church

The priest didn't just say yes, but was rather lyrical. Not only was the church experiencing love and care again, it was finally attracting visitors again. In fact, in the summer of 2021, the small village church was visited by 10,000 people!

The Holy Cross Exaltation Church - glaskyrka

If you come here on a whim, you may find that the church is locked, but you can knock on the door of the glassworks and ask to see the church. For a small fee, you can check out both the workshop and the church.

The Holy Cross Exaltation Church - glaskyrka

Entering the church is a magical experience. The glass art is its own, yet it grows together with the church's religious motifs. At the altar, for example, you can see a glass tree with the familiar apples and the famous snake.

The Holy Cross Exaltation Church - glaskyrka
The Holy Cross Exaltation Church - glaskyrka
The Holy Cross Exaltation Church - glaskyrka

The church includes an altar with glass decorations, given to the church in the 1860s, which still looks almost untouched (below left).

The Holy Cross Exaltation Church
The Holy Cross Exaltation Church

The church also contains lots of exhibited vases, bowls, glasses and sculptures from the Pačinek Glassworks, in every colour and shape imaginable.

Pačinek glasbruk

A more religious motif is the glass nativity scene in one of the church windows.

Pačinek glasbruk - julkrubba i glas

One motif that can be said to be contemporary is glass sculptures depicting the COVID-19 virus. Yes, things that are important for our time can also be relevant to depict!

Pačinek glasbruk
Pačinek glasbruk
Pačinek glasbruk

Restaurant and accommodation

We ended our visit with a beer in the glassworks' restaurant, together with Mr Pačinek who took the opportunity to have lunch. There is also food and coffee for those who want it.

Pačinek glasbruk

You can even stay overnight if you wish, either in a small cottage by the garden or in Mr Pačinek's other accommodation, which is a short distance away. The municipality is also planning to increase the number of parking spaces, and we even heard about plans for caravan parks.

Pačinek glasbruk - boende

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

From Cvikov it is not far to Novy Bor, where you can visit the Novotny Glass Studio. For those who like glassworks and glass art, there is generally a lot to experience in the area, which is called Crystal Valley. We can also recommend a visit to the beautiful city of Liberec and the natural phenomena of Panská Skála and Hruba Skála.

All our top tips for the Czech Republic. Click on the image!

Have you visited a glassworks in the Czech Republic?

Have you heard about the Czech tradition of glass blowing, or perhaps about "Bohemian crystal"? Perhaps you have even visited one of the glassworks or glass artists in the north of the Czech Republic?

Facts about Pačinek Glassworks

  • Country: Czech Republic
  • Area: Bohemia
  • Region: Liberecky kraj
  • Address: Kunratice u Cvikova 147, 471 55 Kunratice u Cvikova
  • Read more: You can find more information at company website.

Services and practical information

  • Prices: It is free to look round the garden. If you want to see the workshop and church, you pay a small fee (and receive a glass coin as a ticket).
  • Food service: There is a food court where you can order beer, light meals, coffee and snacks. There are other restaurants in the neighbourhood.
  • Accommodation: A smaller house is available for rent right next to the garden. Mr Pačinek also rents accommodation for about 20 people, a short distance away.

You might also like:

Crystal Valley in the Czech Republic - guide to the Crystal Valley Borgen SloupSloup Castle in the Czech Republic - a fascinating place to visit Borgen KokořínKokořín Castle in the Czech Republic - plus nature experiences Borgen Trosky i TjeckienTrosky Castle in the Czech Republic - a landmark ruin

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05 October 2021 6:00
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12 Comments

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  1. Ewa says:

    Wow. And again, wow. Thanks for the tip on this one. Goes on my bucket list... The creations are quite reminiscent of American glass artist Dale Chihuly who has a museum in Seattle. Have seen several exhibitions by him, most recently in 2019 in Kew Gardens (London).

    05 October 2021 - 8:12

    Reply

  2. bmlarstravellingblog says:

    What cool glass art! It reminds me of when we drove to Prague with a couple of neighbours in the mid-90s. We fell in love with some unusual champagne glasses and bought them for our daughters. We have three daughters and the neighbours have the same number, so you can imagine how crowded the Volvo's luggage was on the way home.
    After these posts, our bucket list has become even longer...

    05 October 2021 - 9:02

    Reply

  3. Ama de casa says:

    What incredibly delicious glass sculptures! Fantastic craftsmanship there. Just wondering if they had a pooping old man in glass in the manger? 😉

    It must have been extremely fascinating to walk around there.

    05 October 2021 - 9:33

    Reply

  4. Frido says:

    Huuu! Nothing for me. I always get a bit stressed and anxious about such rubbish art. I also avoid Christmas markets full of wooden dolls and other rubbish for the same reason. But I guess there are many who like it, otherwise it would have died out. Luckily you are free to choose! You seem to have a rewarding trip in the Czech Republic (despite the glass art 😉).

    05 October 2021 - 14:55

    Reply

  5. BP says:

    The glass sculptures are absolutely fantastic, what wonderful works of art. Definitely want, especially the outdoor sculptures.

    05 October 2021 - 19:28

    Reply

  6. Anni says:

    You have no idea how incredibly annoying it is that you were in the area just a few days after us! Imagine if you had been earlier instead, then I would also have known about and been able to visit this glass artist and cool garden! It's just to note that I have to go back and I do so gladly. The Czech Republic is fantastic!

    13 October 2021 - 9:26

    Reply

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