World’s largest hand-carved nativity scene

In Santa Cristina Valgardena there's a very special highlight - one of the largest cribs and at the same time the world's largest hand-carved nativity scene! The largest crib made of a root, however, can be found in Waldbreitbach in Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany) and the two biggest mechanical nativity scenes with their moving figures in Rajecká Lesná (Slovakia) and in the museum of Jindřichův Hradec in the Czech Republic. It all started in 1988, when a young group of local artisans brought into being an initiative that was originally aimed at promoting handicrafts.

The first sculpture this group of 18 sculptures created in 1988, was a larger than life-sized sower of Swiss pine. Then they started with the nativity scene: The first figure in 1989 was Mary and her Child. It was ready before Christmas and was placed outside the Santa Cristina Parish Church, adding to the local Christmas atmosphere. In the mean time, many more figures have been added, one every year: Joseph, the Three Kings, a shepherd, a camel, the Angel of the Annunciation, the ass and the ox, as well as some sheep. In the year 2000, the nativity scene received its own stable of 12 x 6 x 5.5 metres. But the project doesn't finish here, it is constantly being enlarged.

The tradition of woodcarving in the Val Gardena is old and dates back to the 17th century. At the Museum Gherdëina - Val Gardena Museum you can admire four centuries of woodcarving in the valley. And how to reach the nativity scene? It is located near the Center Iman in Santa Cristina, a parking space is availabe. This impressive work of art is especially magical in the Advent period!