Three things fuel Zwiesel’s economy: beer, tourism, and glass. Not all of it is just ordinary glass, mind you. No, crystal actually. Could be the reason Zwiesel is known as the “Glass City” and on the Glasstraße or Glass Road.
Oh, I just thought about that — yet ANOTHER tourist route. Will these tourist routes in Germany ever end? I sure as hell hope not (and not because I’m partial to buying gorgeous pieces of crystal from all over). The Glass Road stretches for about 250km through Eastern Bavaria.
I don’t think Zwiesel’s Crystal Pyramid, made with 93,000 pieces, would fit in my living room though. I guess it’ll have to remain in this town until I find a house big enough for it — so no trying to climb it. ;-)
Maybe you’d like some of the pieces from the crystal factory found in the Glass Museum at the Old Schloss?
This isn’t Zwiesel’s only museum. There’s a Steam Beer Museum (didn’t I say that beer was important?), a Toy Museum, and the Forest Museum that houses over 8,000 exhibits of wood, crafts, plants, animals, and… you guessed it, glass.
It’ll be an easy switch from museums to other sites in Zwiesel. There’s only the town’s Town Hall (1803) and the St. Nikolaus Church, which is called the Cathedral of the Bavarian Forest. Catholic church services are still held inside and have been since it was built in 1767. Even if you don’t stay for the service, come in and have a look at a grand example of Rococo design.
The forest is a perfect stomping ground for walking and cycling around. Take your time exploring about, no need to be in a rush while you’re here.
End your visit to Zwiesel at its Kurpark, a city park and spa where an afternoon meal will be highlighted by the beautiful surrounding scenery. As if all the crystal isn’t beautiful enough, Bavaria is always trying to outdo itself.
