Bavarian Christmas tradition: A hand-made nativity scene

in travel •  7 years ago  (edited)

This is one of the most popular Bavarian holiday traditions: the Christmas nativity scene. A lot of families put up a crib every year. Very often they are self-made, bequeathed and grow larger in time. Let me show you a masterpiece in detail.

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It’s designed as a typical alpine crib. The holy family, the maids and menials are all dressed like Bavarian peasants and craftsmen from the 18th century. Just the three wise men appear in historic attire.

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And look at the building. It’s more like an ancient farm house than just a barn. The details are so lovely. There’s firewood and a chopping block, there’s warm light behind the windows.

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And one can even see a table in the snuggery.

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Next to a donkey and an ox, as described in the bible, there are also a dog and several sheep arranged around the manger. This is reminiscent of Saint Franciscus, the inventor of the first crib in 1220. He's said to have had the ability to speak to animals.

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Not to forget all those angels in and around the building. One could call it sickly sweet and naïve, but I think that this diorama is just lovely. I’m not religious, but I do appreciate the craftsmanship, the creativity and the mood induced.

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The figurines are made of wood. There’s a great tradition of woodcarving in Bavaria and other parts of Germany.

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You can find a lot of shops full of such masterpieces. This one is in Bad Tölz. One hand-carved and hand-painted piece can easily cost 100 Euro.

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This crib was built by Franz Kisters, and it took him 100 hours of work. The figurines were carved by the Bavarian company Kreutz.

All photos by me.

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Incredible detail and they are wonderful works of art.

That's what impressed me too.

Have a very Merry Christmas! This is such lovely eye candy!! I wish i could see all this and make molds of those beautiful figures. I just started to follow you. I had to do some screen shots.
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Oh, thank you for your encouragement 🙂 I'm still new to Steemit and have to find out, how it works. I wish you a Merry Christmas too!

I love this post @freistaat. I had no idea that Bavaria had its own twist on the nativity scene. These pieces are really special and so detailed. Your photos capture them beautifully.

This is so kind of you! Ich have plenty more Bavarian Stories to tell ☺️

Wow!! Simply amazing. I love the detail and workmanship. My grandparents always had a nativity scene and I remember my nan telling me the best ones always came from Germany. Her's was from italy but it was nice but ceramic figures. I Love the wood ones myself and great photos as well.

I'm glad I awoke childhood memories in you ☺️ My iPhone does take photos quite well.

Wow , I ve never seen this in my life before! This is great, I like it! You have my support, also I would love if you could check out my profile :)

Thank you so much!

Love the pictures. :)

Some almost look like they were painted, don't they?

Incredible the dedication that must take each piece they look very perfect, I love

It's perfect craftsmanship, indeed. I'm glad you like it.

I have never heard of this tradition, but I really want a Christmas in our country, keep going bro

Thank you! I will ☺️

<3

Ah I miss the mulled wine from Germany. Thank you for sharing this, I'm in a way hotter climate for the first time this Christmas, will be strange not to be in that amazing winter atmosphere. Taste some mulled wine for me :)

Oh, I will, with pleasure! Tomorrow we're gonna attend our local Christmas market. Mulled wine is a must.