Nativity scene in the cathedral
Inner contemplation and the contemplative feeling for Christmas: The crib trail in Munich Cathedral is essentially an exhibition consisting of several historical cribs. In the picture the Holy Night, Neapolitan.
(Photo: Munich crèche friends)
The role of a companion in uncertain times. This is the one that the donkey has in Bible stories. Be it as a load carrier, mount or as a “witness” to the birth of Christ. For the members of Munich Crib Friends eV, who has been taking care of the local nativity scene culture for more than 100 years, makes it a very positive animal and symbol. Which is why he is now also the first time in Munich Cathedral taking place “Krippenweg” is the focus. The Nativity Trail is essentially an exhibition made up of several historical nativity scenes. It was organized in cooperation with the City Pastoral Munich. With the aim of providing “inner contemplation and the contemplative feeling for Christmas” in view of the current numerous fears.
“Safe companionship in uncertain times” is the motto for the crib trail, which can be experienced in the cathedral until January 8th. The exhibits include a nativity scene showing the “Flight to Egypt”. The buildings and figures, which include unusual mythical creatures, come from Munich masters of the 19th century. A Neapolitan nativity scene can also be seen, with figures from around 1760. If you want to know more about it: On December 18th and 28th there will be guided tours at 12 p.m. by the Friends of the Nativity Scene, who in Munich are also interested in many other annual and take care of nativity scenes. In 2019 they also did a big exhibition in the town hall. Jurgen Moises
Crib path in the cathedral, until Jan. 8, Cathedral of Our Lady, Frauenplatz 1, www.muenchner-krippenfreunde.de
Cribs from 300 years
The first address for crib fans: the collection of cribs in the Bavarian National Museum is the largest collection of cribs in the world. The picture shows the adoration of the shepherds and the people in front of the Gulf of Naples.
(Photo: Bavarian National Museum)
the largest crib collection in the world is in the Bavarian National Museum. This is the first address for crib fans at Christmas time. More than 300 years of nativity history can be admired here, including Munich and Alpine variants, particularly precious ones from Naples. These are characterized by their lifelike details, such as the depiction of market activity on Naples’ streets or the adoration of the kings in the Marble Palace. The majority of the collection was brought together by the Munich banker and businessman Max Schmederer (1854 – 1917). A real nativity scene enthusiast who acquired thousands of figures from all over the world and exhibited them in his house on Neuhauser Straße at Christmas time. Schmederer was also one of the founders of the Munich Krippenfreunde eV
Also in Old Castle in Oberschleissheim (Max-Emanuel-Platz 1) there are valuable cribs from Europe and overseas. On December 18th at 2 p.m. there will be a free Guided tour of the collection there takes place, which includes the so-called “Y crèche”. A Makonde ebony carving of Tanzania in which the holy family is carved from a single upright ebony trunk. Their expressive style and African-looking faces make them an impressive sculpture. Jurgen Moises
Crib collection in the Bavarian National Museum, until the end of Jan., Prinzregentenstr. 3, www.bayerisches-nationalmuseum.de/sammlung
Two cribs celebrate birthdays
For the anniversary of the Osterrieder crib, Annette Krauß has created a new scene showing Osterrieder’s studio. The camel in it is an original, other figures come from the 3D printer.
(Photo: Annette Krauss)
What was Bethlehem like when Jesus Christ was born there? That was an important question for Sebastian Osterrieder. That’s why the Schwabing artist Osterrieder even traveled to Egypt and created an oriental crib based on his experiences. A hundred years ago, on Christmas 1922, he presented them for the first time in the Schwabing parish church of St. Ursula on. And there the crib is now celebrating its 100th birthday. This is largely thanks to Annette Krauss. She rediscovered the crib in the 2000s, restored it with the help of supporters, and she now puts it up again every Christmas. For the anniversary, Krauss created a new scene showing Osterrieder’s studio. The camel in it is an original, other figures come from the 3D printer.
A small exhibition in the Museum of the Marian Men’s Congregation in the lower church of the Citizens’ Hall provides information about the history of the Gämmerler crib and Gämmerler’s art in general.
(Photo: Annette Krauss)
The Gämmerler nativity scene at the Bürgersaal in Munich is also celebrating its birthday. The Munich crib builder Theodor Gämmerler created it 75 years ago and built it himself from 1947 to 1968 with changing scenes on site. The textiles came from his wife Wilgefort Gämmerler. A small exhibition on the occasion of the birthday informs about the history of the crib and about Gämmerler’s art in general Museum of the Marian Congregation of Men in the lower church of the Bürgersaal. It shows historical photos, documents and props and was also put together by Annette Krauss. Jurgen Moises
Osterrieder crèche, St. Ursula, until the end of Jan., Kaiserplatz 1, www.altschwabing-katholisch.de/sankt-ursula; pathos, drama, light. 75 years Gämmerler crèche, Bürgersaal zu Munich, until Jan. 6, daily until 5 p.m., Museum of the Marian Congregation for Men, Neuhauser Str., 14, www.mmkbuergersaal.de/museum.html
Holy Family in front of the Wetterstein
The presentation in the Aschenbrenner Museum primarily reflects the nativity scene tradition in the Werdenfelser Land region.
(Photo: Ferdl Brunnenmayer)
Adolf (Waggi) Rehm’s enthusiasm for cribs obviously made a lasting impression on Marianne Aschenbrenner. Otherwise, the founder of the museum named after her in Garmisch-Partenkirchen would hardly have willed an extension to her former home, which is now used as a doll and toy museum, in her will. The goal of her legacy: to secure a permanent home for the collection of the Werdenfelser Krippenfreunde, whose chairman Rehm was at the time. Since 2005, the association has been showing a fine permanent exhibition there that is well worth seeing. The presentation primarily reflects the nativity scene tradition in the Werdenfelser Land region. But in addition to snow nativity scenes from Oberammergau or Werdenfelser Heimat nativity scenes, filigree Tyrolean paper nativity scenes from around 1750 and an oriental nativity scene with venerable articulated puppets, carved in the style of the “Munich School” from 1790, are among the special sights. Another oriental crib is equipped with old wax figures from the Salzburg region around 1860. Another special example is the nativity scene made up of 43 figures by the Partenkirchner artist Georg Reiner (1883 – 1962). Incidentally, thanks to the specially made wooden steps, everything can be seen down to the last detail for younger visitors too. Sabine Reithmaier
Aschenbrenner Museum, Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Loisachstr. 44, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, www.museum-aschenbrenner.de
world of wonders
The Munich Augustinerkindl is one of the best-known Jesus figures (replica from the mother house of the Vincentian nuns).
(Photo: Rosi Bauer)
The veneration of the birth of Jesus has a long tradition. Since the High Middle Ages, this has included the custom in southern Germany of solemnly laying so-called Fatschenkinder (from the Latin “fascia” = wrap) in a cradle on Christmas Eve. A tradition that originated in the monasteries and in many cases led to pilgrimages. With the worship of the Fatschenkinder, stories spread that prayers were answered or other miracles happened. In the exhibition “Pilgrimage Jesus from Four Centuries” in German Hunting and Fishing Museum will be reminded of these stories. In addition to other pilgrimage souvenirs, important figures such as “The Salzburg Loreto Child” or “The Infant Jesus of Prague” are presented.
Some of them are original, numerous are replicas, some of them were consecrated by “touching” the original. This also applies to the replica of the Augustinian child, which is one of the best-known Jesus figures. The original was given to the Augustinian monastery by Munich citizens around 1600 and has been in the possession of the Marian Congregation for Men since 1817. Rosi Bauer, who is behind the exhibition, has been in charge of the Christkindl pilgrimage museum in Siegsdorf for ten years, but the premises are now used for the adjacent natural history museum. That’s why Bauer is looking for a new hostel. Anyone who knows how to help can contact her via [email protected]. Jurgen Moises
Pilgrimage Jesus from Four Centuries, until Feb. 5, German Hunting and Fishing Museum, Neuhauser Str. 2, www.jagd-fischerei-museum.de