The
Gmundner Brand
Founded in 1492, Gmundner Keramik, part of the Gmundner Brand, is the oldest European ceramic company. Today it is a family business synonymous with the finest quality Austrian tableware.
our Heritage
Our commitment to traditional craftsmanship ensures that each piece is lovingly handmade and unique. All our products, with their distinctive Gmundner Keramik patterns and smooth ceramic shapes, are 100% Made in Austria. For the past 20 years, Gmundner’s owner, Markus Friesacher, has returned to Namibia, where he’s forged a deep personal connection with the land and people. From his first exploration, Friesacher envisioned a self-sustaining lodge where discerning world travellers could discover Namibia’s true wilderness and rugged beauty in a setting unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Everything—from blending 100% organic and natural raw materials to molding to painting by hand —takes place at our manufactory in Gmunden, Austria. Handmade since 1492, the history of Gmundner Keramik can be traced back to the 15th century, as evidenced by archaeological finds in the town of Gmunden. Gmundner Keramik was first mentioned in the annals in 1492. In the centuries that followed, the manufactory established itself as a producer of figurative art. In 1968, the company was acquired by Johannes von Hohenberg, who transformed it into a purveyor of high-quality tableware, garnering a reputation that made Gmundner Keramik known worldwide.
In August 2018, Gmundner Keramik became a family business under the new ownership of Markus Friesacher. Driven by a spirit of innovation married with a deep respect for age-old traditions and craftsmanship, the company continues to expand and shape the legacy that began centuries ago.
Our
Beginnings
About Gmundner
For the past 20 years, Gmundner’s owner, Markus Friesacher, has returned to Namibia, where he’s forged a deep personal connection with the land and people. From his first exploration, Friesacher envisioned a self-sustaining lodge where discerning world travellers could discover Namibia’s true wilderness and rugged beauty in a setting unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Friesacher’s penchant for adventure, coupled with his desire to immerse guests in Namibia’s rich culture and magnificent wildlife, led to the realization of Gmundner Lodge.
In 2021, Gmundner Lodge was designed in deep reverence for the land where it is found, with careful consideration to preserve the surrounding environment, wildlife and culture. Gmundner Lodge represents a new era of unparalleled luxury in the wild with reimagined guest experiences that balance adventure and wellness in equal measure.
Holding to his promise of self-sustenance, Gmundner Lodge runs on solar power and is built in harmony with nature, using locally sourced, sustainable materials that extend from the structure to the interiors. Local architects, designers and builders were tapped to bring Gmundner Lodge to life, with thoughtful nuances of the landscape and heritage woven throughout.
On a ground level, Gmundner Lodge is proudly run by locals, whose inherent and diverse knowledge of Namibia brings into focus a meaningful cultural exchange for visitors.
our
purpose
The Gmundner Brand
Our people and our planet are the cornerstones of Gmundner Lodge, reaffirming our philosophy of going back to nature at every touchpoint. We exist to enrich the lives of our guests, which in turn enables us to deepen the positive impact we can have on our people and the land where we exist.
Continuing our back-to-nature sentiment in the kitchen, we commit to sourcing fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy, honey, and cheese from our property. With this low to zero-food mile approach, we offer guests exquisite farm-to-table fare grown, harvested, sourced and manufactured with consideration for our planet and our community. Gmundner Farm not only supplies our lodge kitchen but also sustains our team members and their families who reside in our community.
In line with our manufacturing ethos in Austria, we actively reduce, reuse and recycle throughout our lodge operations and front of house. These initiatives are seamlessly engrained into our everyday actions, enabling us to adhere to our commitment to the environment while prioritizing guest satisfaction and expectations.