Fürstenberg - Porcelain Manufacture Fürstenberg
Fanta
stic things:
Situated approx. 90 m above the Weser River, the castle of the porcelain manufacture FÜRSTENBERG is visible from far away. No other place on the upper Weser River offers such a breathtaking view over the Weser valley.
The manufacture has been in existence for over 250 years. It was founded by Duke Carl 1st of Braunschweig in the year 1747.
It is one of the oldest and most renowned porcelain manufacturers in Europe. The brand label of FÜRSTENBERG is a blue ‘F'. These days, the former hunting lodge houses a well-known porcelain museum.
Web address: www.fuerstenberg-porzellan.com
Enchanting places:
The historical castle in the Weser Renaissance style includes the manufacture-owned porcelain museum, the only one of its kind in Northern Germany, the factory-owned manufacture outlet store ‘Manufaktur Werksverkauf' and the castle café Lottine.
On over 5,000 m2, the museum at the castle with its historical and contemporary collection documents three centuries of porcelain art made by FÜRSTENBERG. Changing special exhibitions on topics relating to table settings explore fascinating aspects of everyday and festive table decoration culture. At the visitors' workshop, experienced porcelain workers demonstrate how the ‘white gold from the Weser River' is made (main season only). If you are interested, you can attend special workshops and try out the art of forming and painting porcelain yourself.
The schedule of events throughout the entire year includes special attractions such as the Commedia dell'Arte Festival and ‘Open Manufacture Day' - alternating every year on the second weekend in September -, the Christmas market with its special atmosphere and concerts of classical music in the context of high-profile festivals.
Through inclusion in the Lower Saxony museum register in 2007, the museum of the castle has been certified to meet the requirements of the international standards for museums set down by the International Council of Museums ICOM and Deutscher Museumsbund DMB [association of German museums].
Opening hours:
April to October daily, except Mondays, 
Museum 10am to 5pm (Manufacture outlet store until 6pm), Sundays and holidays 10am to 5pm (Manufacture outlet store until 6pm).
Off-season Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 5pm, information about special opening hours by phone.
Visitor workshop:
Three workplaces at the museum in the castle present special techniques of porcelain manufacture production. From 10.30am to 4.30pm in the main season, visitors can daily look over the workers' shoulders and experience how much love for detail this work demands. You will have the opportunity of talking to the craftsmen ask questions and get information on the individual work steps.
Phone: 05271 - 401 161
Fax: 05271 - 401 4163
e-Mail: museum@fuerstenberg-porzellan.com
Internet: http://www.fuerstenberg-porzellan.com
