Nativity scenes in the Šluknov region

Exhibitions and construction of nativity scenes, revival of the tradition and craft of woodcarving

Before 1945, the Šluknov region was one of the regions with a great tradition of bethlehem. In the region once known as Böhmisches Niederland (Bohemian Netherlands), figures were carved and canvases depicting the landscape around Bethlehem were painted. Nativity scenes were built in churches and privately. Nativity scenes were made by local carvers especially in the 1920s and 1930s, when the craft had its heyday. The tradition of building cribs is much older here, e.g. the first crib-making association in Central Europe was founded in 1852 in Fuková. In Rumburk, one of the largest moving cribs in Central Europe was built by the Kiesslich family, the torso of which is preserved in the Rumburk Museum. The first crib in the Šluknov region was built in 1667, specifically in the Church of St. Wenceslas in Šluknov. Thanks to the museum collections, preserved church cribs and contemporary carvers, the cribs are still being visited today, thus preserving this specific folk tradition.

The phenomenon of Bethlehem carving has a rich historical tradition and at the same time this tradition is currently being revived and revived in many places in the region, especially during the Advent season and lasts until the Feast of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple (2.2.).

List of places where you can visit the crib:

Rumburk Museum

Every year, at the beginning of Advent, a Christmas exhibition of nativity scenes is held – historical nativity scenes from the museum’s collections and nativity scenes loaned by regional artists. The exhibition always opens with a meeting with local carvers and demonstrations of their work: http://www.muzeumrumburk.cz/vystavy/betlemy

From the museum’s collections we exhibit, for example, the torso of Kiesslich’s moving crib from Radniční Street in Rumburk/ renovated by Jakub Hloušek/, figures by Josef May, a box mining crib from Pol. 17. century from the Cheb region, a crib by contemporary carver Ladislav Süss from Varnsdorf, paper cribs by Vojtěch Kubasta (1914 – 1992) and Josef Führich (1800 – 1871).

During the year it is possible to visit the museum where these cribs are on display:

  • The Weickert family nativity scene – the largest nativity scene in the Rumburk Museum, original, permanent exhibition on the 1st floor of the museum, from the 1930s, the author of the figures Mr. Franz Xaver Schütz (1907 – 2000), the animals Franz Herbrich (1894 -1949) from the Kingdom, painted background Eduard Kindermann (1867 -1949).
  • Large box nativity scene – borrowed from the VDF Museum, by Dominik Rudolf (1863 -1899) from Studánka, 19th century
  • Nativity scene by the Old Cretan carver Florian Liebsch (1865 – 1938)
  • The painting “The Three Kings’ Evening” by the painter August Frind (1852-1924), depicting the carver Florian Liebsch and his family rebuilding a nativity scene for the feast of the Three Kings
  • Figurines and animals carved in the Czech Netherlands (formerly called the Šluknov Spur)
  • Box cribs from the museum’s collections

Association of Jiříkov crib makers

In the exhibition room of the Society of Jiříkov Betlemářů, a regular exhibition of nativity scenes is held during Advent. It is possible to see historical cribs and works of contemporary carvers. The permanent exhibition of cribs is located in the former Savings Bank building on the square in Jiříkov. The exposition of nativity scenes is open all year round – every first Sunday of the month or by appointment.

Contact person Association of Jiříkov crib makers, Oldřich Podzimek tel. 736 482 500

It is also possible to see the private crib of Peter Wittgruber in Jiříkov, freely accessible – tel. 603 878 863.

Current info here FCB or on the web here

Mikulášovice

In the Church of St. Nicholas in Mikulášovice you can see the original church nativity scene from 1927, carved by Franz Rosche from Rožany. After years of being missing, it was rescued and completed, and since 2018 it has been rebuilt almost in its original form.

The crib exhibition is organized by the Roman Catholic parish Mikulášovice and the Nixdorf Society. Contact person Roman Klinger: tel. 732 757 693.

More onFacebook or on the website of the association.

 

It is also possible to visit these places during Advent, where local nativity scenes are on display:

Rumburk – Monastery nativity scene in St. Lawrence Church – An exhibition of a church nativity scene from 1922. The scenes change three times during the display. The crib is accessible during the opening hours of the Loreta Rumburk. It is also possible to see.

Šluknov – St. Wenceslas Church and Rectory – The church nativity scene from the 1920s and 1930s is characterised by a nativity landscape tinted with coloured sawdust.

Filipov – Basilica Minor of Mary Help of Christians – the crib is open all year round before and after Mass, always on Sundays and every 13th day of the month.

Lipová – Church of St. Simon and Jude and the House of the Lining

Dolní Poustevna – Church of St. Michael the Archangel

Velký Šenov – Church of St. Bartholomew