Prague Nativity Scenes: In which church are the most beautiful?
We can soak up the Christmas atmosphere by visiting the manger in one of Prague’s churches. Nativity scenes can be eaten in about fifty of them, some even have an accompanying program. Their visit can be a pleasant addition to a holiday walk.
Nativity scene at Prague Castle
Author: Christian Christmas
A monumental ceramic nativity scene was originally intended for the cathedral, which was to be created by Helena John (1884–1962). But before it was realized, the Second World War and subsequently Communism came, therefore, this project of a glazed nativity scene with ethnographic elements never took place.
Today’s beta with 25 of polychrome ceramics, which was supposed to be completely temporary, finally settled here for its distinctive design. The kneeling Virgin Mary, who hugs the baby in the nursery, has a very special effect, which received numerous copies. The author of the nativity scene is the sculptor Václav Andres from Prague. The last stage design was done by sculptor and restorer Karel Stádník.
Nativity scene in the Týn Church
Author: Christian Christmas
The nativity scene is made up of wooden figures that were created at different times against the stepped background of a stylized city topped by battlements. The figures of shepherds have disappeared over the years due to repeated thefts, so they were gradually replaced by newer ones.. The oldest are the figures of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph with several shepherds, which probably date from the end of the 19th century.
During the holidays, a number of events are planned in the church, including a concert by the traditional Czech Christmas Mass by Jan Jakub Ryba.
Nativity scene in the church of St. Ignatius on Charles Square
Author: Christian Christmas
The manger was established in the years 1949-1954. They were created by František Charvát, a sculptor and carver from the Art Works for Church and Decorative Works in Kutná Hora. He carved many here, mainly for church decoration, he even dealt with restoration. The large manger of the local church can be considered its captivating beauty as the culmination of the nativity scene of this plant.
If you would like to have the Bethlehem light at home for the holidays, go to the church of St. Ignatius you can come.
Bethlehem in the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul in Vyšehrad
Author: Christian Christmas
The nativity scene in the neo-Gothic church in Vyšehrad is one of the most beautiful in Prague. It consists of thirteen figures, including the life-size Holy Family and five animal figures. The figures are carved from wood and polychrome in a realistic style. The author of the nativity scene is Ferdinand Stuflesser from Ortisei. It was made by her carving workshop at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The nativity figures were last restored in the summer of 2015 by the restorer Jitka Jirkovská. In 2019, the nativity scene was supplemented by a baby elephant.
In the basilica of St. Peter and Paul is na rich accompanying program is also planned. You can also come here for Bethlehem light, sing Christmas carols or go to a Christmas-tuned organ concert.
Nativity scene in the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on George of Podebrady Square
Author: Christian Christmas
Bethlehem was created in the years 1945-1946 by painter, carver and sculptor Václav Andres. The layout of the nativity scene is based on the so-called Konnersrueth manger (as seen by Terezia Newumannová from Konnersteuth, Germany). The holy family is placed in a cave, around Jesus sheep are cramped and shepherds are bowing, other shepherds are coming. Singing angels and little angels hover over a cave in a massive cloud. The nativity scene has two variants, one with the newborn Santa wrapped in diapers and the other three kings with a grown-up child sitting on the lap of the Virgin Mary and stretching her hand into the open treasury of one of the kings. Everything is made of wood.
Nativity scene in the evangelical church in Braník
Author: Christian Christmas
The nativity scene has a non-traditional form in the evangelical church in Modřany, they make it from gingerbread. “We expect that, as last year, there will be enough Baby Jesus, Joseph and Mary, kings and inexhaustible hordes of sheep, camels and other vermin, so the selection of representative pieces will get the Branice nativity scene to its final form,” says Jan Jeroným Zvánovec from the local church.
A Christmas exhibition of nativity scenes is taking place in the Barrandov church
Author: unsplash
The church, which was opened only last year, will offer not just one nativity scene, but an entire exhibition of cribs of various kinds and designs. “The Christmas exhibition of historical nativity scenes and toys in Barrandov presents unique carved, painted and paper nativity scenes, Christmas decorations, baking and chocolate molds, historical toys, games and many other exhibits from 1840-1940,” says local priest Josef Ptáček.
Gingerbread nativity scene in the church of St. Matěj in Dejvice
Author: Christian Christmas
Even in Dejvice, they can boast a gingerbread nativity scene, but this one is much more extensive. “In the church of St. Matěj begins his priestly activity in 1972 with Fr. Jan Machač, who provides for the mother of the academic painter Helena Horálková. Out of gratitude at Christmas, she brought him a pair of gingerbread figures to distribute to the ministers. But he liked them and preferred to display them in the church. In the following years, the unobtrusive gift grew to breathtaking proportions. At the time of the greatest glory, the manger had over 300 figures decorated with authentic costumes, “says pastor Matúš Kocián.
Today, Mrs. Horálková no longer bakes the nativity scene, she is replaced by her apprentice Daniel Zítka, who has been baking and decorating the nativity scene since 2002. The crèche now counts around 250 figures.
Nativity scene in the church of St. Antonín in Holešovice
Author: Christian Christmas
The Slavic nativity scene was made by the academic sculptor Václav Cvekl around 1904. Gradually, the nativity scene was supplemented with costumed figurines of other Slavic nations. PThe parish priest Silvestr Hrnčíř, who bought it for the then newly built church of St. Antonina, where cribs have been located biblical since 192. Bethlehem is characterized by the fact that it transmits the story to our homeland and thus allows the believer to become in the figurative sense of one of those who have come to bow.
Nativity scene from beads in the church of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus in Kobylisy
Author: Christian Christmas
In the local church they have not only a classic wooden nativity scene, but also one attraction. “The specialty of our church is the bead nativity scene. It is the original work of the parish priest Mr. Jiří Janák. It has many peculiarities. Carolers are styled in Czech and Moravian costumes (all from beads). You will also find black sheep among the sheep. The Christmas scenery is complemented by other biblical scenes, such as the proclamation of the Lord, the birth of John the Baptist, finding Jesus in the temple, the baptism in the Jordan, the escape to Egypt and more, “says pastor František Blaha.
Nativity scene in the chapel of St. Theresa of Calcutta in Chodov
Author: Christian Christmas
In the modern chapel of the Community Center, new cribs can be seen in front of the altar, which characterize non-traditional but tasteful depictions of nativity scene figures. The imaginative carving and color radiates the joy of the miracle of the birth of Jesus. The crèche was made by sculptor, painter and graduate of the graphic school Josef Bláha. They are a gift from Canon Miroslav Vágner.
The community center is also planning an accompanying program. There will be Bethlehem light, the traditional Rybovka or the midnight Christmas service.