The Westerwald region in Germany is renowned for its quality of substantial clay deposits, as well as for its highly-skilled potters. In Upper Westerwald, Kannenbäckerland, or “Jug Baker’s Land,” is an area that has become the educational and research center for ceramics and a leader in German beer stein and stoneware production.
Situated between the Rhine River, the mouth of the Lahn River and Saynbach Creek, Kannenbäckerland has exceptional clay deposits, which are the largest and best quality in all of Europe. The area has been called Kannenbäckerland since the 18th century, although it has been known for its pottery since the 1400s. People in Kannenbäckerland have been creating unique and different styles of German beer mugs for centuries and are considered to be the original German beer stein producers.
Kannenbäckerland ‘s original three main towns were Höhr, Grenzhausen and Grenzau. Höhr and Grenzhausen were located very close to each other. In 1936, they merged to form the town Höhr-Grenzhausen. The town of Grenzau is now a suburb of Höhr-Grenzhausen. Today in Höhr-Grenzhausen, there are at least 100 businesses—from one-man potteries to big ceramic factories— involved in the ceramics industry, with another approximately 100 businesses in surrounding towns and villages. There are also 50 clay pits and mines in the area. Höhr-Grenzhausen is home to Keramikmuseum Westerwald (Westerwald Ceramics Museum), the State College of Ceramic Design and Ceramic Technology, and Koblenz University, which offers a degree in ceramics. The International Ceramics Market and Museum Festival is held there annually.
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