Royal Factory of Glass and Crystal of La Granja
Royal Factory of Glass and Crystal of La Granja, Industrial heritage site in San Ildefonso, Spain
The Royal Factory of Glass and Crystal is a large manufacturing complex built with brick structures, vaulted ceilings, and granite stonework. The site includes multiple workshops and exhibition rooms where glass production, finishing techniques, and raw material storage take place.
The factory was founded in 1727 by King Philip V and initially produced flat glass and mirrors for the royal palace at La Granja. Over the 18th century, production expanded and attracted European specialists who built their own workshops nearby.
The factory served as a center for skilled glassmaking, with craftspeople passing down their techniques through generations. Visitors today can observe how traditional methods still shape production and understand the role this craft holds in Spanish heritage.
The site is best visited Tuesday through Sunday, with hours changing seasonally. Guided tours and demonstrations of traditional glassmaking techniques are regularly available and show how craftspeople work.
The site was more than just a factory: glassmakers from across Europe settled there and brought their own secrets and methods. This mix of local and foreign techniques made the place an international center of glass craftsmanship.
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