History History When František Kavalír (1796-1853), the founder of the famous family of glassmakers, completed the building of the first Sázava glassworks in 1837, another chapter in the history of the unique place has begun. The glassworks of Saint Procopius brought the very first laboratory and heat-resistant glass products to Europe. Thus, recognized at the World exhibition in Paris in 1855, the new world brand named Kavalier has been brought to the family business. In 1882, the foundation stone of the glassworks, which Josef Kavalier named after his father, was laid. The Glassworks František together with its part – the settlement of glassmakers called Na Kácku – have been preserved in its original form. From the time of Frantisek Kavalier to date, the furnaces of Sázava have furnished countless scientific laboratories and households. Maybe, you can find somewhere at home glass kerosene lamps or teapots designed by the famous designer of modern time, Ladislav Sutnar. Glass Art Centre “Josef Viewegh Glassworks František Foundation” was established by the testament of Ing. Josef Viewegh in February 2006 just before his death. According to his last will, the main purpose of the “Foundation” was to purchase and restore the Glassworks František in Sázava and operate it further as a cultural and social center. The bequest and generosity of the donors allowed the Foundation to gradually acquire the real estate of the František Glassworks followed by the elaboration of a study and a proposal for the restoration of the Glassworks, carried out by the architect Zdeněk Žilka, member of the Board of the Foundation. In 2010, the Foundation concluded a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the Czech Glass Society, the Museum of Glass and Jewellery in Jablonec nad Nisou and the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague, and a Cooperation Agreement with the City of Sázava and Posázaví o.p.s., and together prepared a project called “Center of Glass Art Glassworks František in Sázava“. The project documentation, developed by ATPS ltd. respected the original proposal made by the architect Zdeněk Žilka. The construction was carried out by Subterra corp. Authors and curators of the glass exhibition are Dr. Petr Nový and Dr. Milan Hlaveš, architects of the exhibition are MgA. Petr Duba and MgA. Adam Šimeček. Today MUSEUM Permanent exhibitions Gallery Shop Events LABORATORY Techniques Classes Residencies Teambuildings Custom-made manufacturing Partners Contact Glassworks František Sázava Glass Museum