Glassmaking traditions of the Rhineland are ancient ΓÇö the region was already one of the most important glass production areas of the Roman Empire. In the Late Middle Ages, the glasshouses of the Rhineland and its surroundings produced plenty of green and often bluish-green Waldglas, inluding Krautstr├╝nke (ΓÇÿcabbage-stalk beakersΓÇÖ) and Maigelein, and in the 16th and 17th century, R├╢mers and Berkemeyers. From the Rhineland glass was distributed to the markets of Western Europe by the rivers Rhine and Meuse. Due to good river connections the glassblowers of the Rhineland stayed in close contact with their fellow craftsmen in the Netherlands and northern France.
