The Story Behind the Collection

According to many, the story of the Harrachov glass collection is just as interesting as its contents are fascinating. The collection itself has, in fact, “experienced” its own share of suspense—and one might even say adventure. The exhibits on display in the museum today served as a corporate showroom for the then-owners, the Counts of Harrach, before World War II. The showroom contained the very best pieces ever produced by the glassworks—the pride and joy of its owners. Shortly before the first German troops entered Harrachov on October 8, 1938, the then-owner, Jan Nepomuk Antonín, Count Harrach, decided to have the most valuable exhibits walled up in a secret room behind the showroom. The spot where the original entrance to the room had been was plastered over, and the historical collection was concealed from the Nazis.