A Chateau overflowing with porcelain
In the past,
deposits of quality kaolin were found in
west Bohemia. Porcelain production is not possible without this natural raw material, which is why the oldest Czech porcelain factories originated here. The oldest Czech porcelain factory still in operation was founded in 1794 at the chateau in
Klášterec nad Ohří by Count Thun, after whom it was named. You can explore the history in detail at the
Museum of Porcelain, which is located in this castle. Here, you will also find the oldest preserved test piece of porcelain from 1794 - a pink cup with a saucer, red decor, and the inscription Vivat Böhmen.
To Hotel Pupp for the porcelain festivities
The Thun porcelain producer, from the beginning focused mainly on the production of tableware became one of the largest porcelain producers in today's Czech Republic by the end of the 19th century. Today, Thun 1794 has three branches in
western Bohemia, namely in
Klášterec,
Nová Rola and
Lesov. Although it is a company with a rich history, it still comes with new decors and procedures and its products are still popular all over the world. In cooperation with the
Grandhotel Pupp, the Thun 1794 porcelain factory regularly organises
Porcelain Festivities in
Karlovy Vary in the spring and autumn, where you can go and see all the latest products.
We give space to your imagination, design your own plate – one just as original as you!
The story of porcelain production is mapped by the
Visitor Centre in Nová Rola near Karlovy Vary. Here, you will find an exhibition about production and a gallery of porcelain products. For larger groups of visitors, they organise workshops here, where you can paint your
own plate or
mug! The tour leads through the administrative building through the showroom directly to the production plant. They will also be happy to show you around the
production plant in Klášterec nad Ohří, where porcelain is finished off, glazed, painted, decorated, and prepared for sale. There is also a porcelain school for children, where young visitors can try out the work of decorators.