Ceramics, Glass, and Porcelain – Tracing Art and Craftsmanship (Piechowice – Meissen – Bolesławiec)

About the event

A journey along the trail of manufactories, renowned and famous for their products worldwide. For centuries, they have been a source of regional pride and a hallmark of the area. The trip is also an opportunity to delve into the secrets of craftsmanship by visiting so-called “living museums,” where we will closely observe the process of creating glass, ceramics, and porcelain products. We will visit the city of the Great Jug, follow the footsteps of alchemists trying to discover the recipe for “white gold,” and in the Karkonosze glassworks, we will trace the steps of U.S. President John Quincy Adams Jr. 📅 REGISTRATION: https://poludnik21.pl/ceramika-szklo-i-porcelana PROGRAM: - DAY 1, October 17, 2025 (Friday): Meeting on October 17, 2025 (Friday) at 5:50 AM in front of the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, opposite Kinoteka. Departure towards Piechowice at 6:00 AM. Along the way, there will be restroom breaks and one longer breakfast break. Piechowice – Huta Piechowice – our “ceramics and porcelain” trail will begin at the legendary Julia Glassworks, which originates from the 19th-century Josephine and Fritz Heckert glassworks, famous worldwide for producing luxury items. The Josephine Glassworks, founded in 1842 by the Schaffgotsch family, gained international fame thanks to products showcased at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. Meanwhile, Fritz Heckert's Piechowice refinery became renowned for its artistic decorations that brought fame to the region. After World War II, the glassworks in Piechowice was rebuilt and became the first Polish crystal glassworks, which operates to this day! During the tour, we will learn about the history and tradition of glassmaking in the region. There will also be an opportunity for shopping! Szklarska Poręba – a walk along the Szklarka River. We will see the Szklarka Waterfall – the second-largest waterfall in the Karkonosze Mountains (note – the walk does not require significant physical preparation – we will walk along a publicly accessible route). Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation and dinner. - DAY 2, October 18, 2025 (Saturday): Meissen – one of the most important cities in Saxony. During the reign of Augustus the Strong, the famous porcelain manufactory was established, where “white gold” with the symbol of blue crossed swords is still produced today. In Meissen, we will visit the Porcelain Manufactory! We will also stroll through the bishop's hill and castle hill, where we will visit the Cathedral of St. John and St. Donatus. We will also walk through the old town! Return to the hotel, dinner. - DAY 3, October 19, 2025 (Sunday): Breakfast, check-out from the hotel, and transfer towards Bolesławiec. Bolesławiec – we probably won't be lying if we say that Bolesławiec ceramics are known to absolutely everyone! Its roots date back to the Middle Ages and the 14th century when potters from Bolesławiec began creating vessels from local clay with unique properties. Its brown color and durability quickly gained recognition in Poland, Saxony, and Russia. The Polish history of ceramics began after World War II when production was resumed in the surviving workshops. The products were inspired by local folklore, and the traditional stamping method gained new life thanks to artists like Bronisław Wolanin and Janina Bany-Kozłowska. Visit to the Living Museum of Ceramics in Bolesławiec. After visiting the Museum of Ceramics, we will take a walk around the city – during the walk, we will see, among others, the neo-Gothic courthouse building, the historic Market Square with the town hall, and the Minor Basilica. Departure for the return journey around 3:00 PM. Return to Warsaw around 10-11 PM. 📅 REGISTRATION: https://poludnik21.pl/ceramika-szklo-i-porcelana 💰 Cost: 1160 PLN/person + entrance tickets to visited sites We warmly invite you!