Hergiswil, right on the shores of Lake Lucerne, is home to a glass factory and a glass tower. Glasi Hergiswil is a very interesting building complex found in Hergiswil, Switzerland dedicated to its craft of glassblowing, glass art, and glass history. Furthermore, is the only glassworks in Switzerland where glass is blown into unique shapes by hand.
Glasi Hergiswil Museum was awarded by the European Council as “one of the most beautiful museums in Europe” in 1996.
Visiting this museum is an interesting experience for young and old alike, and we recommend it highly. Whether it is families, individuals, small groups, or school children, all of these people will find this factory fascinating.
Overview: Glasi Hergiswil
| Age Group | All ages |
| Category | Indoor, Outdoor, Museum, Factory |
| Expected Duration | Half day |
| Cost | * 7 years and older - CHF 7 * Children under 10 - free if accompanied by an adult * Labyrinth and glass-blowing to be paid separately |
| Address | Seestrasse 12, 6052 Hergiswil |
| Website | https://www.glasi.ch/ |
| Opening Hours | Mondays - Fridays 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturdays 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Closed on Sundays and National Holidays |
| Public Transport | Hergiswil - Train Hergiswil (See) - Boat |
What to Expect: Glasi Hergiswil
The Glasi Hergiswil complex consists of several buildings, and the following are open to visitors:
- Factory and museum building
- Exhibition building
- Glass store (outlet)
While you could theoretically go to the other buildings first, I would recommend starting with the main Glasi Museum. The tour begins with a multimedia presentation and ends at the factory, where visitors can see how the glass is made.
Once you’ve paid in the Glasi Hergiswil, you’ll need to wait until the next time the doors open. Each group member will walk through various stations showing the history of glass from the ancient times when it was first discovered all the way to the present day.
By the halfway point in this journey, you will begin to learn about the history of the glass factory in Switzerland and how it was saved from bankruptcy. The doors open on cue after the presentation and music have ended.
When the presentations and explanations are complete, you will be led to a large viewing terrace where you can see the glass manufacturing furnaces in action. Immediately adjacent to this large terrace is the entrance to the glassblowing experience. If you wish to do glassblowing or take part in the labyrinth, you will need to pay a separate fee.
Upon finishing your tour of the furnace, you may choose to view various glass archives, and you may then purchase items in the shops. There are several interactive exhibits made of glass in the building next door. You will be able to play music, use glass marbles, listen to sounds inside glass vases, and more.
Things to Do in Glasi Hergiswil
- Formed by Fire Museum and multimedia tour: Begins with glass from ancient times and proceeds to tell the history of the Glasi Hergiswil Museum. This is a narrated tour with light, sound, and various visual backdrops. The experience is similar to a rustic movie theater. The group looks over the glass furnace at the end. The European Council named this museum “one of the most beautiful museums in Europe” in 1996.
- Glass-Blowers: You can watch glassblowers at work. Typically, Portuguese and Italian glassmakers work at Glasi Hergiswil.
- Blow Your Own Glass: You can blow your own glass ball for a fee. It would then be created in a small oven under the instruction of an expert glassblower. Before you can take it home, wait at least 15 minutes for it to cool down.
- Glass Interactive Exhibits: Glasi Hergiswil offers more than 70 different ways for visitors to interact with glass: musical instruments made of glass, optical mirrors, games, and marbles.
- Glass Labyrinth: You can enjoy colorful strobe lights and the sound of glass while walking through this glass labyrinth. You must wear protective gloves and slippers, as well as pay a separate fee. This is the only glass labyrinth in Switzerland.
- Glasi Park: There are many nice things that you can do here with your kids in Glasi Hergiswil, including the playground and park. It has a giant dragon named Leandra and a 7-meter-high marble slide. The glass marbles must be purchased separately.
- Glasi Shops: There is the main shop where they sell flawless wares. Across the street is an outlet store selling discounted items.
- Glasi Glass Archives: An exhibit showing many glass objects produced over the years in Glasi Hergiswil, as well as giant glass chess pieces. You can see various glass vases and bowls made in the fifties. It also has a view of Lake Lucerne from this room.
- Glass Jewels: Shows beautiful pieces of glass and glass art, and how Glasi Hergiswil was born in the forests of the Entlebuch region. These beautiful Flühli glass articles were produced during the 18th and 19th centuries. You can watch a short film by pressing the big red button in the middle.
- Various Food Choices: Glasi Restaurant Adler with local delicacies and an outdoor terrace. It can also be booked for special occasions. Glasi Bar by the lake with croissants, apéritifs, snacks, or drinks. Glasi Café for a coffee and Glasi Pub located next to the Glasi Park. For those who wish to bring their own food, you can also do so near the lake and park.
- znirP and nisseznirP: Six glass fairy tales from six classic stories brought together in one 15-minute presentation.
- Pedal boats and water games: Pedal boats can be rented for an additional fee.
Final Thoughts: Glasi Hergiswil
The existence of Glasi Hergiswil is by no means a given. In other words, the factory may have closed at some point. Fortunately, the glassblowers, the municipality of Hergiswil, and, above all, Roberto Niederer saved the Glasi Hergiswil from closure. Eventually, the glass factory of Hergiswil was able to resume production. And as nearly all jobs in the village were provided by Glasi Hergiswil, the entire community rallied around the glass company during hard times. It is now the country’s only supplier of hand-blown glass.
I would estimate that it will take at least two hours to see everything (the multimedia tour, factory, and exhibits). You need more time for glassblowing if you are planning to participate as you will have to do the activity first and then wait for the glass to cool.
Glassi Hergiswil is an excellent outing for people of all ages. We enjoyed the experience and look forward to returning soon.
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