Selb

Selb is a town in Upper Franconia within the Fichtel Mountains, sitting at 562 meters (1844 feet) near the Czech border in the Wunsiedel district. The center holds several streets with shops and residential buildings, surrounded by wooded hills and smaller neighborhoods in the valleys.

Philipp Rosenthal founded a porcelain factory here in 1879, accelerating the growth of the settlement and turning it into a center of ceramic production. Other factories producing porcelain and ceramics opened during the 20th century, creating thousands of jobs.

The name Selb likely comes from a Slavic word describing a winding stream, reflecting the early settlers who lived here. Today locals gather around the central square and meet in the cafés that line the main street.

The town sits on roads and rail lines leading to Bavaria and the Czech Republic, making it accessible from larger towns in the region. Visitors can walk through the neighborhoods on marked routes and explore the wooded surroundings.

The Porzellanikon museum displays tools, kilns and manufacturing methods from several centuries, showing how porcelain making evolved over time. The exhibition halls contain historical machines that once ran in local factories and now serve as teaching pieces.

Location: Wunsiedel

Elevation above the sea: 562 m

Shares border with: Aš, Libá, Hazlov

Website: http://selb.de

GPS coordinates: 50.16667,12.13333

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:19