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The Charles Bridge Museum has prepared an exhibition of nativity scenes. The most popular exhibit is the Vltava’s Fish Nativity Scene with an aquarium. The exhibition presents cribs from the last three hundred years. Visitors are then invited on a boat trip.

The exhibition has been organized by the Charles Bridge Museum together with the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star to mark the 5th anniversary of the foundation of the Association of Czech Nativity Scenes.

Entry in Czech book of records

The Vltava Fish Nativity Scene features in the Czech book of records. It is no wonder, as it weighs three tonnes and contains about twenty figures. The exhibition also shows traditional paper nativity scenes from the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, scenes made of corn husks with craftsmen on Charles Bridge, bird nativity scene or a scene from Hostinné from the 18th/19th century. Other nativity scenes include a scented one or a straw one from the Slovakian and Polish border. The exhibition is being held  until 6th February 2012. Until 2nd February, visitors can make use of a their exhibition ticket to the cruise through Prague Venice, which comes as a Christmas present with each exhibition ticket.

The grounds under the Bethlehem Chapel house an exhibition entitled Malované Vánoce (Painted Christmas), which has been organized for the 4th time by Bonsai Service Prague. There is also a wide range of accompanying events, so visitors can learn how to make straw nativity scenes, glass figures or carved nativity scenes. A similar exhibition, only not as large, is also held in the greenhouses of the Charles University Botanical Garden.

Not enough nativity scenes

As far as crib exhibitions are concerned, there are less of them in Prague this year than in the previous years. This may be a good thing, as these two or three exhibition focus on the best nativity scenes and furthermore, Praguers thus have more time to see cribs in numerous churches. We will only mention two nativity scenes here, which are very rare.

Slavic nativity scene at St. Anthony

A unique nativity scene is in St. Anthony’s Church in Holešovice. In the past it was almost doomed to disappear, however, the first priest of the church, Mr. Silvestr saved it. A painting of Domažlice and figures in Domažlice region costumes were later added to the scene, followed by other figures in costumes of different Slavic nations. That is where the nativity scene got its name from.

Loreta

The nativity scene in the Prague Loreta in Hradčany is also a very unique one. It is made of papier-mache with life-sized figures.The crib comes from the 17/18th century and moves. An interesting thing is that the Baby Jesus changes position. Until the Three Kings, he is in the crib, then he is held by Virgin Mary. This year, it was exceptionally open also for the Churches Night.

Bethlehem Chapel

The grounds under the Bethlehem Chapel house an exhibition entitled Malované Vánoce (Painted Christmas), which has been organized for the 4th time by Bonsai Service Prague. There is also a wide range of accompanying events, so visitors can learn how to make straw nativity scenes, glass figures or carved nativity scenes. A similar exhibition, only not as large, is also held in the greenhouses of the Charles University Botanical Garden.

Not enough nativity scenes

As far as crib exhibitions are concerned, there are less of them in Prague this year than in the previous years. This may be a good thing, as these two or three exhibition focus on the best nativity scenes and furthermore, Praguers thus have more time to see cribs in numerous churches. We will only mention two nativity scenes here, which are very rare.

Slavic nativity scene at St. Anthony

A unique nativity scene is in St. Anthony’s Church in Holešovice. In the past it was almost doomed to disappear, however, the first priest of the church, Mr. Silvestr saved it. A painting of Domažlice and figures in Domažlice region costumes were later added to the scene, followed by other figures in costumes of different Slavic nations. That is where the nativity scene got its name from.

Loreta

The nativity scene in the Prague Loreta in Hradčany is also a very unique one. It is made of papier-mache with life-sized figures.The crib comes from the 17/18th century and moves. An interesting thing is that the Baby Jesus changes position. Until the Three Kings, he is in the crib, then he is held by Virgin Mary. This year, it was exceptionally open also for the Churches Night.