Leerdam Glass
Leerdam, situated on the beautiful river De Linge surrounded by flood plains, has been a centre for the glass and wood industries since the 18th century. The first glassblowers came from Germany and established the basis for the present-day glass industry of the 'Royal Leerdam' glass factory, and Leerdam glass is still a household name today. Within the industrial process too, there has always been a place for glass art.
In the National Glass museum in Leerdam, you can see the work of glass artists from various countries. In the little town, a number of specialised galleries display items of work by contemporary glassblowers and -artists.
How the ancient craft of glassblowing is practised can be seen in the Glasblazerij Leerdam. International glassblowers are at work here daily with a blowpipe, liquid glass and a red-hot furnace.