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Information » New Projects » New Nativity Scene

New Nativity Scene 

Design:
We do not know much about Svatá Hora's first Nativity scene. It was presumably consigned to the rubbish dump of history.

In Svatá Hora there are some cribs of the Příbram type, which could have been made in the course of the 19th century. It is however not clear whether these constitute the legacy of some artisan who carved Nativity scenes, or whether they formed part of a Nativity scene which was displayed in Svatá Hora's church. According to historians, Nativity scenes were often plundered of their parts by their visitors, who wanted a "souvenir." This is why at the end of the 19th century large, factory-made figures where purchased from the a producer in the Tyrol, namely statues the Holy Family, two kneeling angels and two angels playing musical instruments. As the remainder of the Nativity scene was composed of whatever other miscellaneous artefacts were available, it was decided that we should have a new Nativity scene carved. Initially the Příbram wood-carver, Stanislav Přibyl, was approached. After a few months, he provided us with several figures. The problem was that, out of the members of the Holy Family, he was only prepared to carve Joseph, meaning that we would not have the central figures of our Nativity scene. The pace of work and pricing also made for an unacceptable situation.

On the recommendation of Mr Ján Chvalník of the Příbram Association of Nativity Scene Carvers, we turned in 2001 to the wood-carver Jan Ježek from Sudín u Dobrušky. In the summer of the same year, he completed the first part of our new Nativity scene, namely the figures of the Holy Family, the animals and the stable, which were all paid for by Příbram's wood-carvers. By Christmas 2001, several more additions had arrived (the Three Kings, a shepherd, some sheep and a dog), so we were able to assemble our new Nativity scene at Christmas of that same year. Unlike in the preceding years, when the Nativity scene was set up on the Altar of Our Mother of Perpetual Succour, in 2001 it was set up in the Chapel of St Ignatius, which it is possible to access directly from the cloisters without going through the Basilica. Thus, the crowds of Christmas visitors did not disturb those who are praying in the Basilica or saying confession. In the Chapel we also play Christmas music from a CD to prevent people from talking. We initially wanted to cover the floor under the Nativity scene with moss, but by the middle of December it was already too late for this. We were therefore obliged to use straw. This solution pleased us so much that now we wouldn't even think of using anything else. Straw has a pleasant smell and thus helps to create a more pleasant atmosphere than moss would do. In the Chapel there are also chairs and benches to enable personal prayer. The reactions in 2001 when people first saw the new Nativity scene varied from enthusiastic praise to fervent dislike. During 2002 we were able to augment our Nativity scene with more than 30 pieces, mainly musicians, sheep and other animals. In 2003 we completed our band of musicians and increased the number of figures bearing gifts for the baby Jesus.In the future, we would also like to augment our Nativity Scene with Czech historical figures and Czech saints.

Production Techniques:

The figures are carved from lime wood and the upright figures measure approximately 30cm. The figures are painted with coloured varnishes and then treated with beeswax. Most of the figures are painted in shades of green or brown.The Nativity scene stands in the Chapel of St Ignatius behind a glass wall and is protected by an electronic security system and security cameras.We hope that with the creation of a new Nativity scene a cultural and artistic debt will be repaid to Svatá Hora, and that this work of art, thanks to its elegant simplicity and originality, will bring more people nearer to the mystery of Christmas. The Chapel of St Ignatius is open from the fourth Sunday of Advent to 2 February, from 6.30am until Svatá Hora closes.

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Odkazy

Fotogalerie

• Velikonoční vigilie 2012
• Roráty s P. S. Přibylem, CSsR
• Benefiční koncert G. Demeterové a J. Tůmy
• Věčné sliby - David Horáček
• Noc kostelů 2011

Aktuality

• Information
• Guided Tour with a Concert
• I have expected... Do I have to run away?
• New exhibition in the Museum of Pilgrimage
• SOS Organ