Portál Pražana
The exhibition of nativity scenes at the Museum of Charles Bridge accompanies the story of a Christmas tree
Prague's nativity scenes flooded Prague this year. You can admire them, for example, in the Charles Bridge Museum. Not only will you see the Holy Family in a straw-like form and life-size, there is also a unique Czech one - a fish nativity scene written in the Czech Book of Records or an African nativity scene from ebony wood. And this year, the museum also focused on the history of the Christmas tree.
The Christmas tree is one of the main Christmas symbols, and many can not imagine the holidays without it. Do you know, however, when and where did the tradition of the Christmas tree and its decoration originate?
One of the first mentions dates back to 1570 - a decorated tree in the room, which was recorded in the Bremen Chronicle. In the middle and especially at the end of the 17th century, most of the households had this tradition in Germany.
Christmas Trees in Our Country Since 1812
In other countries, people began to get used to decorating the Christmas tree a little later. It is said that it originated in our country for the first time in 1812. Jan Karl Liebich, Director of the Estates Theater, organized a dance party for his friends in his Libeň chateau. And in 1812 he surprised the guests by putting a decorated ornate spruce in the middle of the room, where he also placed a nativity scene and presents.
Original Nativity Scenes
As every year, several museums have set up a nativity scene for their visitors. For example, a very unique straw-colored nativity scene - the biggest of its kind in the world! The author is Polish artist Andrzej Wrzecionko, who really cares about the individual figures with their sophisticated faces, and produces them in life-size.
Unique is also the Vltava fish nativity scene. Made with twenty-two humanized fish figures and weighing nearly three tons, it has its place in the Czech Book of Records.
And be sure not to miss one more gem in the Charles Bridge Museum: the corn steak nativity scene. This work is again written in the Guinness Book of Records as the most extensive nativity scene of its kind.
DID YOU KNOW THAT...
Early Christmas trees hung from the ceiling tip down or placed in a wooden cross-shaped base?
Before the classical glass decorations took place, the branches of the tree were decorated with dried fruit, gingerbread, raisins or paper chains glued with starch?
The tradition of decorating the tree with burning candles started in the 18th century?