Dorotheenhütte: Hidden Gem Of The Black Forest

Germany's Black Forest hides many delightfulvase must cool longer before being handled. The
secrets amid its thick foliage. In this land ofglass blowing workshop is absolutely free - only
fairytales and half-timbered houses lies a little glasspay a nominal fee if you want to take your work
factory, practicing the methods of a time longof art home with you (since the vase must cool
past. Located in the town of Wolfach, thefirst, this give you plenty of time to peruse the
Dorotheenhütte Glass Museum brings therest of the complex).
traditions of yesterday alive for today's visitors.Dorotheenhütte's 'Glass Paradise' is
Proudly known as the 'Black Forest's onlyappropriately named as it is truly a heaven for
hand-blown glass factory', Dorotheenhütteshoppers. The room brilliantly sparkles as each
walks its guests through 2,000 years of glassoverhead light, perfectly positioned, splashes bright
history. The museum section of the complexreflections and color over everything. Shelves and
shows how the art of glass-making has evolveddisplay tables are stocked full of finished vases,
over the years as well as displays tool and moldsuch as those blown in the free workshop, sets
artifacts from long ago. Masters can be observedof stemware of all shapes and shades, figurines,
creating and grinding delicate crystal stemware bycandleholders, hanging balls that shine like stained
hand - each cut a carefully calculated combinationglass, and anything else imaginable for home
of angle and pressure.décor. Glass Paradise' leads into 'Christmas
Dorotheenhütte also gives their visitors theVillage', full of enchanting seasonal ornaments and
opportunity to try their hand at glass blowing -decorations throughout the entire year. Twinkling
fascinating and fun when considering one rarelylights border the aisles of fluffy snow and delicate
gets the invitation to 'touch' and 'try it out' whenitems that are practically bursting with holiday
fragile objects are concerned. Standing near thespirit. Whether spending a lot or a little,
2,642 degree inferno of fire and molten glassDorotheenhütte's experienced staff gently
leaves one uncomfortably warm, yet it developspacks each find in protective paper to cushion its
a sense of awe for the master who endures thisjourney from Wolfach.
heat for his love of the art. Take a deep breathThey also offer international shipping options for
and blow with all your might as a tiny bubblethose who would rather have their purchases
forms in the glowing shapeless mass at the othermeet them at home. Finally, after a day of
end of a long metal tube. The master coaxes forblowing glass and shopping, visitors can relax in
more air, more pressure, more strength as yourDorotheenhütte's charming restaurant. Have
cheeks start to tingle and your face turns brighta full meal of delicious German cuisine or simply a
red. You get a very short break as you pick outwarm drink and a pastry to reenergize as you
different color chips for the blob that willadmire the traditional wood décor.
eventually become a shapely vase.Dorotheenhütte is a one-of-a-kind
The master has you blow into the tube again asexperience in the Black Forest region of Germany.
he twists and shapes the vase then flings itAlthough it seems to be hiding among the dark
almost madly through the air as you wonder howtrees, it welcomes each person with its
close he's getting to the floor and the crowd. Theenthusiasm and talent for the beautiful art of
glass cools enough to cut it off the tube and theglassmaking.