Waldsassen’s porcelain history is, besides several manufactories, mainly characterized by two porcelain producers. A porcelain factory tracing back to porcelain turner Johann Mathäus Riess underwent a rapid upswing after it had been taken over in 1885 by the Egerland merchants Oskar Bareuther from Haslau (Hazlov) and Ernst Ploß from Asch (Aš) as well as Max Jena from Selb.

In 1898, Bareuther & Co experienced serious competition when another porcelain factory was founded and one year later bought out by Emanuel Gareis, Joseph Kühnl, Moritz Reis and Philipp Rosenau (Gareis, Kühnl & Co) offering with household ware, vases and staple goods a product range similar to the one offered by the competitor which already before had existed in this place.

Both companies merged in 1969 to improve competitiveness, in particular, on foreign markets. After the opening of the Iron Curtain, the company got into financial troubles and had to close down in 1994.

Waldsassen is the centre of the so-called Stiftland, meaning the territory of north Upper Palatinate and neighbouring Egerland, in which the Waldsassen Monastery as a big landowner had taken influence during the late Middle Ages and early Modern Period.

The powerful basilica already greets from a distance. Architect Abraham Leuthner from Prague, brothers Georg and Christoph Dientzenhofer as well as Bernhard Schießer were involved in the construction of the monastery’s church solemnly inaugurated in 1704.

In direct neighbourhood you will find the Cistercian Abbey the very heart of which is the world-famous library hall with life-size sculptures elaborately carved by Karl Stilp.

Another place of interest is situated in Münchenreuth, 3 km to the north-west. Here, you can visit Kappl Trinity Church which may be the most extraordinary rotunda of the baroque.

Stiftland Museum invites you to the historic-cultural past of the monastery town with its once thriving porcelain industry. The lovingly assembled exhibits document on four floors former life, living and working in the Stiftland and Egerland regions. This includes the biggest collection in Upper Palatinate of old workshops and handicraft tools. All exhibits are marked in German and Czech language.

• Where heaven meets earth – Historic city walk (pdf download via  www.waldsassen.de)Playful nature experiences are waiting at Waldsassen Abbey’s culture and  meeting centre (monastery garden/environment station)
  movelo-e-bike rental station: Hotel Zum Forsthaus, Basilikaplatz 5; Tel. 09632/92040
  Rosner‘s Gläserne Lebkuchenmanufaktur (transparent gingerbread manufactory – bakery patisserie café)