Visby glasblåseri
Recycled glass transformed into handcrafted functional pieces and artistic glassware.
Hidden among the medieval streets of Visby, the furnaces of Visby Glasblåseri glow with life. Here, recycled glass collected from local restaurants is transformed into handcrafted functional pieces and artistic glassware using traditional techniques passed down through generations.
The result is glass with a distinctive brilliance, strong character.
In the heart of Visby’s old town lies Visby Glasblåseri, where the heat from the furnaces meets the rhythm of craftsmanship in motion. Visitors stepping inside the workshop are given a rare opportunity to experience the ancient art of glassblowing up close — watching molten glass shaped by hand into timeless objects.
Both functional and artistic glass pieces are created here with great care and precision. What makes the glass studio particularly unique, however, is its choice of raw material. Instead of using newly produced glass, Visby Glasblåseri works primarily with recycled glass collected from restaurants around Visby. Bottles and discarded glass are melted down and reborn as vases, bowls, drinking glasses, and artistic creations, each carrying its own individual character.
The recycled material does more than contribute to sustainability — it also gives the finished pieces a special depth and luminous quality. Small variations in color and texture reveal the authenticity of the craft, ensuring that no two pieces are exactly alike.
The story of Visby Glasblåseri began around twenty years ago when glassblower Christer Mattsson created the first pieces in the workshop: small schnapps glasses he called “Madamer.” A series of chance encounters eventually led him into the traditional craft, and what started on a modest scale gradually evolved into a studio where craftsmanship, quality, and sustainability are central values.
Environmental awareness is woven into every part of the business. By sourcing raw materials locally from restaurants in Visby, transportation and emissions are kept to a minimum. The studio is powered by wind energy, and even the excess heat generated by the furnaces is reused to warm the conference space located on the floor above.
At a time when mass production dominates much of the design world, Visby Glasblåseri offers something entirely different — handmade objects shaped with respect for both material and environment. Every piece of glass carries traces of fire, craftsmanship, and the unique spirit of Gotland that helped shape it.
Visit Visby Glasblåseri Mellangatan 56 621 56 Visby visbyglasblaseri.se