Stadtrundgangs - Informationstafel "Glashandel"

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The economic development of Driburg is closely linked to glass production and the glass trade.
The large wood reserves in the surrounding forests as well as sand and lime were the basis for the development of a flourishing glass industry. The first itinerant glassworks were established near Driburg as early as the 12th century.
They chased after wood fuel at constantly changing locations in the forests of the Egge region.
The connection of Driburg to the railroad network (from 1864) and the switch from charcoal to hard coal firing enabled glassworks to set up near the railroad station. For example, the "Glashütte Becker" on Brakeler
Straße, the "Friedrichshütte" on today's Rathausplatz and the "Neue Hütte" on Bahnhofstraße.
The glass industry and glass trade experienced a noticeable upswing as a result.
By 1900, the Driburg Trade Association counted more than 100 glass trading companies.
The glass goods were transported by panniers, donkey, dog or goat carts and later by horse-drawn carts on journeys lasting months throughout Europe. The trade routes of the Bad Driburg glass merchants stretched from Denmark to Bavaria and from the Benelux countries to St. Petersburg. The covered wagons remained in service until the 1920s, when they were replaced by the first motor vehicles.

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From 1902 to 1972, Lange Straße 127 was the headquarters of the Benedikt Koch jr. glass trading company, which is world-famous for its LEONARDO brand. Behind the building, the Manifattura LeonardoFactory outlet invites you to browse. In addition to the large local companies glaskoch, Ritzenhoff & Breker and TABLEROC, several smaller glass trading companies ensure that Bad Driburg is still one of the most important cities in Europe when it comes to glass. Bad Driburg glass is exported all over the world.
The glass museum in Bad Driburg (Schulstraße 7) shows the history of the glass town, the work in the glassworks and the life of the glassmakers.

Image sources: Unless otherwise indicated,
the illustrations originate from the archives of the town of Bad Driburg, Meiners, Herzog or Gehle.

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