And the most valuable and unique works are carefully stored in the museum. There are also exhibits that date back to 1910.

Yes, we are talking about Neman glass factory and its famous products, which have become the decoration and pride of more than one apartment in the post-Soviet space.

The history of the plant began in 1883, when local landowner Zenon Lensky began producing beer bottles. However, the real heyday came in 1891, when Czech master decorator Julius Stolle and engineer Wilhelm Krajewski joined the business. They bought and merged several glass factories, forming the Neman company. Thanks to their efforts, the company became widely known in various European countries.

On the territory of the Neman glass factory, there are two unique facilities, in which you will plunge into the fascinating atmosphere of creating glass and crystal masterpieces.

Firstly, the plant itself. Walking through the production workshops, you will witness amazing transformations occurring with hot glass melt. Known for their skill, glassblowers deftly turn the viscous mass into products of various shapes and sizes. In their hands light and elegant glasses, massive vases and unique artistic figures are born.

The Neman glass factory carefully preserves the glassmaking traditions which were established at the end of the 19th century. At that time, production was completely manual, and craftsmen used cast iron molds. Today the plant is equipped with modern equipment and uses ceramic, metal and sand molds.

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Secondly, the museum. It carefully preserves unique exhibits which were created since 1910. A rich collection of glass and crystal products created over the course of almost a century and a half of the history of the enterprise is presented here. During the tour you will see unique examples reflecting different eras and styles. From simple and functional glasses and wineglasses to complex artistic compositions, the museum’s collection amazes with its diversity and beauty.

The halls of the museum present:

  • Classic products made of clear crystal;
  • Glass products of various shapes and colors;
  • Milky-smoky glass with the famous “Neman thread”, which became the trademark of the plant;
  • Original works of contemporary artists.
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A visit to the Neman plant and museum on a tour will be an unforgettable event that will leave in your memory vivid impressions of the skill of glass blowers and the centuries-old traditions of this amazing craft. You will learn how hot glass melts into fragile and exquisite creations that will delight your eye for decades and create a unique atmosphere in your home. You will see with your own eyes the process of blowing glass figures of various shapes from a mass heated to 1500 Cº.

Interesting facts:

The Neman plant produces up to 8 tons of products per day.

In one shift, a master decorator can paint 3–4 thousand items.

To participate in the Exhibition of Economic Achievements in Moscow, the famous “Sheaf of Ears” vase was cast at the Neman plant; it weighed more than 40 kg. Its production took about 1 month.

The 1911 price list featured 1,828 types of all kinds of products, including crystal glassware, apothecary and household utensils, kerosene lamps and even door handles.

Local glassblowers make not only modern tableware, but also decanters and glasses based on 19th-century designs.

The plant’s special pride is its handmade products, which are created by specialists from the experimental artistic team for special occasions or foreign guests.