Traditional exhibition of nativity scenes from the mining region Příbram

The exhibition of nativity scenes called „Wood – scissors – paper“ takes place at the Castle – Ernestinum Příbram till 10th January 2010.

It has become a commonplace that every year during Christmas the Příbram Mining Museum and the Society of Příbram ´s nativity scene artists organize the exhibition to perform the traditional nativity scenes typical of the region.

This year there is displayed one of the oldest nativity scene by Bartoš, distinguished by fine feature of figures. There is also presented a complete Nativity scene by Mrs. Melkesová for the first time after years.
Among the most precious exhibits dated around the turn of the 18th and 19 century belong an altar painting of the Holy Family borrowed from the Museum of Central Bohemia in Roztoky near Prague and figures of the Holy Sepulcher in the life-size painted on wooden boards coming from the collection of the Municipal Museum in Březnice. The oldest printed Nativity scenes present copies of sheets printed by W. Morak in the middle of the 19th century in Prague and colored sheets of Gustav Kuhn from the late 19th century.

Visitors can buy souvenirs with Christmas motifs, cutting Christmas cribs, postcards, holy pictures and others.

Opening hours: 7th December 2009 – 10th January 2010 from 9 am to 5 pm. On 24th December from 9 am to 1 pm, 31st December is closed, 1st January 2010 from 1 pm to 5 pm.


The tradition of creating nativity scenes in the Czech Republic goes back to the 16th century. These are made from a wide range of materials (e.g. wood, paper, dry straw and gingerbread) and you can see with your own eyes that this tradition is still very much alive.

The Charles Bridge Museum in Prague introduces the world’s largest straw nativity scene. Apart from this, here you can admire the works of Czech nativity scene artists from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. The entire exhibit lasts through 10 February.

On your search for unique nativity scenes, you should visit the Museum in Jindřichův Hradec which houses Krýza’s Crèche, the world’s largest mechanical folk-art nativity scene.