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    Glasriket (Glass Kingdom)
    Holger.Ellgaard / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Sweden

    Glasriket (Glass Kingdom)

    Point of InterestCulture

    Glasriket, the Kingdom of Crystal, spans the municipalities of Lessebo, Uppvidinge, Nybro, and Emmaboda between Växjö and Kalmar. Today, around 14 glassworks still operate here, including Kosta Boda and Orrefors.

    by Felix Gillen

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    9. Glasriket (Glass Kingdom)
    Glasriket, the Kingdom of Crystal, spans the municipalities of Lessebo, Uppvidinge, Nybro, and Emmaboda between Växjö and Kalmar. Today, around 14 glassworks still operate here, including Kosta Boda and Orrefors. In many, you can watch the glassblowers and shop directly from the factory.

    Sehenswürdigkeiten

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    1Lövsjö ängar

    Lövsjö ängar, nestled in the heart of Glasriket, represent a piece of Swedish cultural landscape shaped for centuries by traditional management. These historic hay meadows are a living example of sustainable agriculture from bygone eras and home to remarkable biodiversity. Here you'll discover an abundance of rare plants and insects that barely exist in modern agricultural landscapes. Especially in early summer, countless wildflowers transform the meadows into a colorful mosaic. A stroll along the designated paths allows you to experience this tranquility and beauty up close. The meadows are not only ecologically valuable, but also tell the story of Glasriket's rural population. Our Tip: Visit Lövsjö ängar between June and July to experience the full splendor of the blossoms. For the best photos, early morning or late afternoon is recommended, when the light is softer and the meadows are less crowded.
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    Essen & Trinken

    1

    Brasserie 1742

    Restaurant in Stora Vägen 75.
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    2

    Linnéa Art Restaurant

    Restaurant in Stora Vägen 75.
    Show on Google Maps

    History and Glass Tradition

    Glass from the Forests of SmålandThe first glassworks in Småland were established around 1628, using local quartz sand and firewood. The forests met the large fuel demand of the furnaces. Kosta was founded in 1742, named after its founders and now the oldest continuously operating glassworks. Orrefors followed in 1898. More than a hundred glassworks emerged in the region over time.HyttsillHyttsill is a tradition of the Kingdom of Crystal, a communal meal cooked in the glassworks' still-warm furnaces. Today, visitors can enjoy it socially in summer.Design and CraftsmanshipKosta Boda and Orrefors are now part of the same company; many smaller glassworks were acquired by larger groups. Thus, identical designs often appear in multiple factory outlets. Numerous small studio glassworks also operate. Glassblowers can be observed at work in many glassworks; some also feature permanent exhibitions. Växjö's Glass Museum offers a good overview.

    Arrival and On the Way

    By Train to the Edge of the Kingdom of CrystalThe regional trains Krösatågen connect Växjö and Kalmar, stopping along the way in places like Hovmantorp, Lessebo, Emmaboda and Nybro.Växjö is seen as the most practical starting point; Kalmar is approximately 120 kilometres away.Between the GlassworksBus connections to individual glassworks are very limited. Without your own vehicle, you can realistically only manage one or two glassworks a day; check the timetable beforehand.By car, several glassworks can be combined in one day. Kosta Boda is the easiest to reach from Växjö.It pays to compare prices, as the same designs are offered in several factory shops.

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    Nearby

    Kosta

    Kosta

    Kosta is a small village in the forests of Småland and the historical heart of the Kingdom of Crystal. The glassworks has been active since 1742 and is Sweden's oldest continuously operating glassworks. You can watch the glassblowers at work, shop at the outlet, and observe elk and red deer in nearby wildlife parks.
    Växjö

    Växjö

    Växjö is the main town of the Kronoberg district and a university city in the heart of Småland, surrounded by lakes. In its compact center are the Cathedral, the Småland Museum with the Swedish Glass Museum, and the House of Emigrants. The city is considered a pioneer in municipal climate protection, and in 2018, it was the first Swedish city to receive the European Green Leaf Award. It's not far to the Kingdom of Crystal.
    Småland

    Småland

    Småland is southern Sweden's forested, lake-dotted landscape, between Lake Vättern (north) and the Baltic Sea (east). Red wooden houses, stone walls, and moors define the scene. Highlights include the Kingdom of Crystal (between Växjö and Kalmar) and Vimmerby, Astrid Lindgren's hometown.
    Kalmar

    Kalmar

    Kalmar is located on the Baltic Sea coast of Småland, opposite the island of Öland. The Renaissance castle on the water, the baroque cathedral, and the Old Town on the island of Kvarnholmen make the city one of Southern Sweden's most important historical destinations. Via the Öland Bridge, you're on Öland in just a few minutes.
    Blekinge

    Blekinge

    Blekinge is Sweden's second-smallest province, on the Baltic Sea between Skåne and Småland. Deciduous forests extend to an archipelago coast with around 800 islands and skerries, protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Its main town is the naval city of Karlskrona, whose port facilities are UNESCO World Heritage.

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    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons. Each photo carries its credit.
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