Tettau: Glass and Border History

Glass and the memory of a unique border situation are at the heart of Tettau. The European Museum of Bottle Glass offers insights into glass and the trades practiced in glassworks; the border memorial in Kleintettau recalls the history of the area. The two topics highlight different aspects: one focuses on exhibits and knowledge of a craft, the other on the historical situation at the border.

Glass and glassworks at the museum

The European Museum of Bottle Glass displays hundreds of glass exhibits and a number of tools. Information about glass and the trades practiced in glassworks is presented in both print and multimedia formats. The museum’s subject matter therefore includes not only the objects on display, but also the work and knowledge involved in making them.

The historical perspective ranges from glassworks trades of the past to those of today. If you are interested in craftsmanship, this connection offers a concrete way to explore the subject: you can view the exhibits and tools alongside the information presented about them. The look at past and present-day trades also distinguishes historical work from its modern counterpart, without equating the two.

The border memorial in Kleintettau

The border memorial in Kleintettau recalls the unique border situation, which until May 1, 1976, ran directly alongside Klein Lichtenhain in what was then the GDR. Residents of the eastern territory applied for identity cards in the West and were eligible to vote there. This unusual situation became known as the “Miracle of Kleintettau.”

The Tettau market town erected the memorial in 2019 so that the history of this border situation would not be forgotten. Its historical significance encompasses the specific border and date, as well as the residents’ unusual circumstances and the name given to them, the “Miracle of Kleintettau.” The glass museum and the memorial offer different subjects to explore during a stay in Tettau: learning about a craft on the one hand, and border history on the other.

Landscape in the wider Kronach travel destination

In the wider Kronach travel destination, the district describes two distinct landscapes. The larger northeastern part extends into the Franconian Forest, a low, rounded, densely wooded upland region with many valleys. Elevations there range from around 500 to just over 700 meters. The rest of the district lies in the northern part of the Upper Main Hills. This area slopes down from the Franconian Forest toward the southwest, from around 300 to 500 meters, and has a varied topography with escarpments and terraces.

The waterways also provide geographical orientation for the wider travel destination: most of the district lies in the Rodach river basin and that of its tributaries. They flow southwest toward the upper Main. The landscape thus extends from the wooded heights and valleys of the Franconian Forest to the lower-lying parts of the hills.

Culture and hiking in the wider Kronach travel destination

For culture enthusiasts, the wider Kronach travel destination offers everything from military architecture to painting and sculpture. Rosenberg Fortress brings together medieval, Renaissance and Baroque fortification architecture. The oldest surviving document to mention the name “Rosenberg” dates from 1249. The Franconian Gallery displays 220 paintings and sculptures from the late Gothic and Renaissance periods in Franconia across 1,000 square meters. Another historical highlight is the Heunischenburg in the Gehülz district: it is considered one of the oldest stone fortresses in Europe north of the Alps and one of the finest defensive structures of the Late Bronze Age in Central Europe.

The hiking trails also differ clearly in length and stated difficulty. The FrankenwaldSteigla “Entlang der Marter” is 14.7 kilometers long and rated moderate; it is located in Kronach. The “Ködeltour” in Steinwiesen is 17.1 kilometers long and rated very difficult. Comparing these two routes means choosing between not only different distances, but also different stated difficulty levels. Check current trail conditions before setting out on a specific hike.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Marktrodach, Stockheim in Upper Franconia, Kronach, Wilhelmsthal, Steinwiesen, Teuschnitz, Wallenfels, Mitwitz.

To the wider travel overview: Kronach.