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Arizona
St. DavidHoly Trinity Historical Museum (an Olivetan Benedictine Monastery), 8 miles South of Benson on State Hwy 80, then south of St. David between Mile Posts 302 & 303. Collection of some 168 sets from around the world on display in one room of 5-room Museum. Open daily 9-11:30,2-4. Closed Wed. afternoons. (520-720-4016/720-4642)
California
Carmel
Mission San Carlos Borromeo. Nativity on display made up of pieces from several different Italian Baroque sets. Located in a room to the left of the altar (831-624-3600)
San Francisco
Grace Cathedral, Episcopal, 1051 Taylor. Nativity figures carved by Antonio Juan Villalba of Valencia, Spain, in 1956. Made from Swedish birchwood and lightly polychromed. Located in the north transept. (415-749-6338)
Connecticut
Bethlehem
The Abbey of Regina Laudis, a community of contemplative Benedictine women. 273 Flanders Road. Visitors welcome to visit the 18th Century Neapolitan crèche, with over 100 hand-carved figures, a gift to the Abbey from Mrs. Loretta Hines Howard. Crèche generally open daily, weather permitting, from 10-5. Closed January 6 to Easter Sunday. (www.abbeyofreginalaudis.com)
Michigan
Frankenmuth
Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, 25 Christmas Lane. Nativities on display both inside and outside. Museum inside main building holds Bronner Family personal nativity collection. "Silent Night" Chapel replica on grounds. (512-652-9931)
Minnesota
St. Anthony Village
Nativity Lutheran Church, 3312 Silver Lake Road. Open during regular office hours and at church services. Self-guiding booklets available. (612-781-2766) (suburb, 5 miles NE Minneapolis)
New Mexico
Santa Fe
Museum of International Folk Art. 706 Camino Lejo, off Old Santa Fe Trail. Many nativities in this extensive folk art collection. Open 10-5 daily. Closed Mondays. (505-476-1200)
New York
Corning
Christmas Forever Shoppe and Museum. 61 E. Market St. Antique German putz, 26' long x 8' deep, tells story of first Christmas, from Isaiah's prediction thru Flight to Egypt. Second phase provides visit to Germany's Black Forest region -- a typical German Christmas Garden found under Christmas trees at the turn of the century. Presently adding French crèche section. Open for viewing during shoppe hours. Mar-Jun by appt. Jul-Dec, call for schedule. Closed Jan-Feb. (email: xmasforevr@aol.com - phone: 607-937-3715 - fax: 716-394-4852).
New York City
Lladro. 43 W. 57th Street. Permanent display of special pieces, including several nativities, in Museum on the second floor. Tu-Sa, 10-5:30. (phone: 212-838-9771)
St. Francis of Assisi Church, 135 W. 31st Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues). Perpetual Christmas Crib in lower church - dioramas show birth, early life of Jesus. Relic from the cave of the Nativity in Bethlehem set into rail in front of the crib. (212-736-8500).
Ohio
Dayton
The Marian Library, University of Dayton. Collection of more than 900 sets from around the world. Year-round and seasonal displays. Open Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30 or by appointment. (937-229-4214 / www.udayton.edu/mary/gallery.html)
Pennsylvania
Chalfont
Byers' Choice Ltd., (makers of the Christmas caroler figures), 30 miles no. of Philadelphia, at 4355 County Line Road. One room of Visitors' Center devoted to collection of almost 200 creches from around the world, including 18th Century Italian presepio. Open year round Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5. (215-822-0150)
Paradise
National Christmas Center, 3427 Lincoln Highway. Many Nativity sets + walk-through life-size re-creation of Mary and Joseph's journey. Weekends only, May. June-Oct, 10-6 daily. Nov-Dec, 10-8 daily. Closed Jan-Apr. (717-442-7950)
Philadelphia
St. Mary's at the Cathedral, Chapel of St. Michael and All Angels, corner of Ridge Avenue and Cathedral Road. Chinese crèche brought from China in 1943 by missionary, Deacon Katherine Putnam. Located in side chapel year round; moved into church during the Christmas season (215-482-6300)
Tennessee
Nashville
The Upper Room Museum, 1908 Grand Avenue. Collection of 100+ sets representing about 35 cultures is shown on a rotating basis year round. Entire collection displayed from first of Advent through February. Seasonal art gallery of Advent/Christmas-theme paintings. Mon-Fri, 8-4:30. (615-340-7206 / www.upperroom.org)
Washington, DC
Franciscan Monastery. "The Holy Land of America". Grotto of Bethlehem. Replica of the Holy Manger. 14th and Quincy Streets NE. Tours offered Mon-Sat, 9-11, 1-4. Sun 1-4. Closed Tues. (202-526-6800)
Wisconsin
Oshkosh
Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church, 1174 Algoma Blvd., corner of New York. Collection of more than 600 nativities on display on lower level. Open during regular church hours: Sunday 8-noon. Mon-Thurs 8:4:30. Fri 8-3. Sept-May, most Wednesdays 8-8. Groups by appointment. (920-231-2800)
Sydney
Nativity House - Christmas Museum, 136-146 Garfield Road, Horsley Park NSW. Collection of Elisabeth Van Mullekom-Cserep. Open October 1 - December every year, by appointment (email: nativity@mindspring.com website: www.nativityhouse.com.au)
AUSTRIA
Christkindl
The Mechanical Manger -300 figures come to life and pass through rich biblical scenery to the music of a Bohemian cylinder organ. Guided tours. (0043/+676/5963481 or 7252/54622)
Pottmesser Manger
one of the largest mangers in the world - 778 figures on a surface of 58m2. Figures created by Ferdinand Pottmesser, starting in 1955.
Innsbruck
Tiroler Volkskunstmuseum (Museum of TyroleanPopular Arts) - Universitätsstrasse 2. Many nativities among its extensive collections. Open daily 9-5. Sun, holidays 9-12. (phone: 43 (0) 512584302)
Lutach/Ahmtal
(south Tyrol) Museum Maranatha, Weissen bachstrasse 15 -17. Some cribs on display year round. Open: Mon-Fri, 9-11 :30, 2-6; Sat, 9-11 :30; 1st Sun of month, 2-6.
Saalfelden
Pinzgauer Heimatmuseum im Schloss Ritzen (Pinzgau Heritage Museum in Ritzen Castle). Museum says it has the largest collection of cribs in the entire Alpine region. Open: Wed, Sat, Sun, holidays,2-5; from July 1-Sep 30, Tu-Fri, 10-12, 2-5, Sat-Sun-holidays, 2-5; closed Mondays; from Dec 24-Jan 6 open daily; 2-5; closed Mar, Apr, Nov. (phone: (0) 6582/72759 or /72513)
Steyr
Museum der Stadt Steyr (Steyr Municipal Museum).
Grünmarkt 26. Count Josef Lamberg Crib Figures.
More than 200 figures on display on a huge nativity
hill. Apr-Oct, Tu-Sun 10-4; Nov-Mar, W-Sun, 10-4;
Dec daily 10-4. (phone & fax: 0043+7272/575348)Vienna
Osterreichisches Museum für Volkskunde (Austrian Folklore Museum) - Palais Laudongasse 15-18. Some Austrian nativities on display. Open 9-4 Mon-Fri, 12-4 Sat, 1-4 Sun. Closed Mon.
Zirl
Heimatmuseum. Collection of cribs from Zirl area. Open Jan 6-20, June 1-Sept 15, Sat, Sun, 2-7.
CANADA
Montreal
Brother Andre Museum, St. Joseph's Oratory, 3800 Queen Mary Road. Collection of 600+ nativities from some 100 countries. About 330 on display from mid-November to mid-February; about 200, the rest of the year. Open 10-5 daily. (514-733-8211)
Saint-Jean-Port-Joli
(about 103 km ne Quebec City) In the local church. (1779). Exhibition of about 20 locally-made crèches.
One is a large crèche made by 21 different local wood- carvers and which includes a pregnant Mary. Open Jun-Oct. Masterpiece also on display Dec-Jan.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Jindrichuv Hradec
Okresnf Muzeum. Vast mechanized nativity scene with hundreds of moving figures + other crèches. (40 kI ne Ceske Budejovice)
Prerov nad Labem
Polabské národopisné muzeum (Ethnological Museum of the Labe (Elbe) Region) Display of crèches among other exhibits. (phone: 325/565272)
Trebíci
Západomoravské muzeum (West Moravian Museum).
Valdštejn's Castle, Zámek 1. (a 1999 visitor said: had
quite a few nativities, tracing the development of the
paper nativities characteristic of the region...history of
notable artisans, etc.) Open: May,Jun,Sep, Tu-Su, 8-12,
1-5; Jul, Aug, daily, 8-12,1-5; Oct-Apr, Tu-Sun, 8-12,
1-4. (phone: +420 618 840518) (60 km sw Brno)
FRANCE
Aix-en-Provence
Musée du Vieil Aix, 17 rue de Saporta. Regional nativities amid other exhibits. Open Apr 1-Sep 30, 10-12, 2:30-6. Rest of year 10-12, 2-5. Closed Mon.
(phone: 04 42 21 43 55)Arles
Museon Arlaten, 29 rue de la République. Santon/Créche displays, among others. Open: Apr-Oct, 9-12, 2-6:30. Nov-Mar, 9-12, 2-5. Closed on Mondays.
Autun
Cathedrale Saint Lazare, place St-Louis. 4 stone capitals, sculpted in twelfth century by master craftsman Gislebertus, tell the story of the Wise Men: before Herod, adoring the Christ Child, being warned by an Angel, and the Flight to Egypt of the Holy Family. Can be seen "at eye level" in the Salle Capitulaire, one floor up from the church.
Cassis
Musee des Arts et Traditions Populaires. Some regional nativities displayed. Open: Summer, W, Th, Sa, 3:30-6:30. Winter, 2:30-5:30.
Gréoux les Bains, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
"La creche de Haute-Provence" (300 santons in a miniature village, with sound and light), plus an exhibit of antique creches, at the workshop of Martine and Gerard Moine, 36 avenue del Alpes (route de Vinon) (telephone: 0492-776108 fax: 0492-776459
email: santons-moine@enprovence.com)Les-Baux-de-Provence
Musée des Santons, Ancien hôtel de ville. Small collection.
Lourdes
Musée de la Nativite - La Créche Animée, 21, Quai Saint Jean. 3 sections: 14 dioramas depicting life of Jesus from the Annunciation to the scene in the Temple - moveable scene of life in Palestine in Biblical times -
animated scene of everyday life in the Pyrennes toward end of 19th Century. Hours: 9-12, 1:30-7 year round.
July, Aug also from 8:30-10. (phone: 62-94-71-00)Marseille
Musée du Vieux Marseille, Maison Diamantée, rue de la Prison. Lovely collection of créches. Closed for
renovation. Scheduled to reopen sometime in 2001. Check before going.Museum at Marcel Carbonel Studios, 47 Rue Neuve Sainte Catherine (phone: 0491 13 61 36)
website: santonsmarcelcarbonel.com.Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires du Terroir Marseillais - 7 miles northeast at Château-Gombert,
5 place des Heros. Several créches from naïf to XVIII Century to present day. Open Wed-Mon, 2:30-6:30.
(phone: 04 91 68 14 38)
Martigues
Museum of Old Martigues - old santons from the St. Julien créche. July, Aug open daily 10-12, 2:30-6:30. Otherwise, Wed-Sun, 2:30-6:30. Closed Tues.
Maussane les-Alpilles
Musée des Santons Animés (Articulated Santon Museum), Route de Saint-Remy - D5. Open daily Apr 1-Sep 30,10-7; Oct 1-Mar 31, 1:30-7. (phone: 04 90 54 39 60 email: musee-santons-animees@wanadoo.fr)
Paris
Musée national des Arts et Traditions, Centre d'ethnologie Française, 6, Ave de Mahatma Gandhi. 4 santon displays + "exquisite complete créche of glass made in Marseille" (visitor, 2001) among many other exhibits on French life. (phone: 01 44 17 60 00)
Villard de Lans
(sw of Grenoble, in town center). Musée des Santons. Some 2000 pieces from 30 countries. Open year round, 10-6. (telephone: 04 76 94 09 94).
GERMANY
Annaberg-Buchholz
(south of Dresden) Erzgebirgsmuseum. One display is a Weihnachtsberge, a mechanical model of a mine, combined with a nativity and forest scenes. Open Tu-Sun, 10-5.
BerlinMuseum für Deutsche Volkskunde (German Folk Art Museum) in Dahlem section at Im Winkel 6-8. Open: Tu-Fri, 9-5, Sat-Sun, 10-5. Closed Mondays. (phone: (030) 39 01 01)
Dresden
Museum für Sächsische Volkskunst (Saxon Folk Art Museum), in the Jagerhof, on the east side of the River. Open daily 10-6. Closed Mondays. (phone: (03 51) 4-84-66- 70)
Forchheim
Gasthaus Roter Ochs. Kirchplatz 3. Family krippe started in 1945 and expanded over the years. Landscape changes during the year, following the biblical cycle. Open daily 11:30-2, 5:30+. Sun 10-2:30. Closed M, Tue, except holidays. (phone: 09191/4511 - fax: 09191/31975)
Hergersberg / Losheim
"Krippana," on the Belgian-German border in old customs building. Museum contains over 200 nativities from around the world. (In Hergersberg: 4700 Manderfeld. 080/54.87.29. In Losheim: Prümer Strasse 54. 06557-866).
Open 10-6 daily. (east of Malmedy, Belgium - southeast of Monschau)Mindelheim
Schwäbisches Krippenmuseum (Schwaben Crib Museum) Hermelestrasse 4, in the former Jesuit College. Overview of nativity story , life and passion of Jesus. Open daily 2-4, except Monday and by appointment. (phone: 0 82 61-69 64)
Munich
Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (Bavarian National Museum) Prinzregentenstrasse 3. Lower level devoted to extensive display of German cribs. Open Tues-Sun, 10-5. (phone: +49 89 21681)
Oberammergau
Heimatmuseum (Heritage Museum). Dorfstrasse 8. Collection of local cribs. Open Tue-Sun, 2-6. (+49 (0) 88-229-4136)
Rothenburg
Deutsches Weihnachtsmuseum (German Christmas Museum), Herrngasse 1. Run by Käthe Wohlfahrt Company. 11 rooms, each displaying a different feature of Christmas. Several paper créches displayed, also a Baroque Tyrolean crib with 65 figures and a créche castle. Mon-Sun,9-6. Jan 15-Apr 6 open only Sat and Sun. website: www.weihnachtsmuseum.de
Schneeburg
Museum für Bergmannische Volksart (Miners' Folk Art Museum). Nativities among other exhibits.
Telgte
Krippenmuseum (Crib Museum). In the historic district. Open year round. (12 mi. east of Münster on B51)
HOLY LAND
Bethlehem
Bethlehem Peace Museum. (opened Nov. 26,2000) Collection of some 80 nativities from around the Anglican Communion on display for a time.
ITALY
Avellino
(Campania region). Museo Provinciale del Presepio (Provincial Nativity Museum). Open daily 9-1 and 4-6. (east, slightly north, from Naples)
Bari
Museo Archeologico Civico (Civic Archeological Museum). Permanent crib display. Open 9-2 daily. Closed Monday.
Bolzano
Museo dei Presepi nel Convento Muri di aries, in the Roman tower of Abbazia. 18th Century presepio, exhibit showing present presepi production in Alto Adige, some 40 pieces of a group of folk art figures. Open: Sep-Jun on the 1st Sat of the month, 3-5; from the 1st Sat in Advent - Feb 2, every Sat. (phone: 0471 921016)
Brembo de Dalmine
Museo del Presepio. Via XXV Aprile 179. (near Bergamo ). Large collection from Italy and around the world. Open: Dec-Jan, 2-6, Sun 9-12, 2-7; rest of year on holidays, 2-6. Groups every day with paid reservation. (phone: 011-39-05-561-584
email: info@museodelpresepio.com)Bressanone
oldest town in south Tyrol. Museo Palazzo Vescovile (Palace of the Prince Bishops). Nativity collection on
ground floor has works by two of the most famous crib makers, Franz Xavier Nissl and Joseph Benedikt Probst.Caserta
La Reggia, the Royal Palace -18th Century Neapolitan presepio of Spanish Prince Charles of Bourbon, King of Naples, 1734, 1200 figures. Open daily 9-1:30. Closed Mondays.
Genova
La Madonetta Sanctuary. Baroque nativity. (take Righi Funicular to St. Nicholas exit, walk up, ring bell, ask to see presepio)
Greccio
Church of the Nativity, built over the spot where in 1223 St. Francis organized an outdoor nativity using live animals. Large presepio and nativity wall plaques inside. Small display of nativities on the second floor.
Macerata
Museo Tipologico del Presepio, Palazzina Cassese, Via Maffeo Pantaleoni, 4. (near Arena Sferisterio )
17th Century Neapolitan presepio, regional Italian and foreign nativities, as well as another 4000 pieces of statues, animals, accessories, bibliographical and philatelic materials, movies, slides, etc. Visit by appointment. (phone: 0733234035)Milan
Chiesa di / Church of San Marco. 17th Cent nativity, made of paper by F. Londonio. Next to last chapel on right. Open all year.
Montevergine
(Campania region, near Avellino). Museo Internazionale del Presepio (International Crib Museum). Cloister,
Benedettina Abbey. Nativities from around the world.Muggia
(near Trieste ). Chiesa di / Church of San Francesco, Salita delle Mura. Permanent display of nativities from around the world. Open Mon, Wed, Fri, 10-12. Visits possible outside this schedule by calling 040271104.
Naples
Museo Nazionale di San Martino (St. Martin National Museum), on the grounds of the Castel Sant'Elmo, Largo San Martino 5, in the Vómero district - Presepio of Cuciniello and others, in Rooms 32-38. Open: Tu-Sat, 9-2; Sun, 9-1. Closed Mondays.
Chiesa di Santa Chiara (Church of St. Clare), near Via San Gregorio Armeno -17th Century theatrical crib with many figures. Cloisters open daily 8-1, 4-7.
Via San Gregorio Armeno - presepio workshops and stores line both sides of this street
Oropa
(Piedmont region). Museo del Presepio. In the crypt of the New Church of the Santuario, which is a place of pilgrimage (April to Sept) to the Black Madonna.
Ponte San Pietro
(near Bergamo). Diorama Presepistico. More than 30 Nativity Dioramas. Done by the Italian Assoc. Amici del Presepio in the Chiesa Vecchia (Old Church). Open daily Dec 17 - Jan 7, 10:30-12, 2:30-6. Rest of the year, by appointment.
Call Claudio Mattei at +39 35 616036.Rome
Basilica del Santi Cosma e Damiano. Via dei Fori Imperiali 1. Presepio from 1750 - 45 ft. long, 21 ft. wide, 27 ft. high
(phone: 066991540)Museo Tipologico Internazionale del Presepe - Associazione Italiana Amici del Presepio. Via Tor de Conti 31A, basement of church of SS. Quirico & Giullita. (Look for small name-plate, follow long corridors, blue & yellow electric lights. ) Dioramas, cribs from around the world. Open: Wed & Sat year round, 5-8; Christmas Day - Epiphany, daily 4-8; public holidays 10-1, 4-8. (phone: +39 6 6796146)
Parrocchia di Santa Maria in Via. 17th Century Neapolitan nativity, work of Nicola Maciariello. On permanent display.
Open 6:30 am-8 pm daily. Sun, holidays, closed for lunch.Catacombs - many have representations of the nativity story on crypts or walls
Sicily: Caltagirone
Museo del Presepio, Via SS. Salvatore 28. Nativities from around the world. Open year round 9:30-1, 3-8. From Nov 10 - Jan 1, 9:30-8. (phone: 093323418 or 093331732)
Donnalucata
Museo del Presepio. Parrocchia di Santa Caterina da Siena. Nativities from around the world. Open year round.
Palermo
Museo del Presepio. Part of Museo Etnografico. Large presepio by Giovanni Antonino Matera, 17th Cent; others from 18th Cent.
Sumirago
Museo Internazionale del Presepio di Albusciago, (northwest of Milano, direction V arese ).
Parrocchia San Siron, Via San Giovanni Bosco 2. Italian and international collection.
Open public holidays 2:30-5:30; otherwise, paid reservation made by phone.
(phone: 0331-909.720, 0331-908.033)Taranto
Museo del Presepio. Via Lago d ' Averno 10 (crossroad, Bivio / Chieso (Church) S. Spirito). Display of artistic nativities from the Costa Collection. Open year round by appointment. (phone: 0997761799)
Trieste
Presepio ligneo monumentale (Monumental Nativity) outside Trieste at Grotta Gigante / Borgo Grotta Gigante (in cave).
Open every day except non-holiday Mondays, 10:30-11:30-12:30 / 2:30-3:30-4:30. (phone: 040/311853)
MONACO
Monte Carlo
Musée National, Principauté de Monte Carlo, 17 av. Princesse Grace. Santons from late 18th Century-early 20th; 18th Century
Neapolitan créche. (phone: 04 93 30 91 26)
POLAND
Krakow
Basilica Mariacki on Rynek Glowny, the main square - nativity scene on altar doors
Muzeum Etnograficznego (Ethnographic Museum), old town hall, plac Wolnical, Kazimierz District. Antique szopki.
Open: Mon, 10-6, Wed-Fri, 10-3, Sat, Sun, holidays, 10-2. Closed Tuesdays.
PORTUGAL
Beja
Regional Museum on Largo da Conceiçao. Some nativities on display.
SLOVAKIA
Martin
Ethnographic Museum, Mala Hora 2. Some nativities among other exhibits. Open Tu-Sun, 9-5:30.
Closed Mondays. (phone: 310 11, 310 12)
SPAIN
Alicante
Museo de Belenes, Calle de San Agustín 3, Casco Viejo. Nativities from around the world. Seasonal dioramas of Nativity story and Passion. Open: Apr-Oct, 10-2, 5-8; Nov-Mar, 10-2, 4:30-7:30. (phone: (96) 520 22 32)
Barcelona
Church of the Sagrada Familia by Antonio Gaudí. Stone carvings of the Nativity.
Madrid
Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativos (Museum of Decorative Arts), corner Montalban and Alfonso XII.
Some nativities on display. Open: Tues-Fri.9:30-3; Sat, Sun, holidays, 10-2. Closed Mondays.Murcia
Museo Salzillo, Calle San Andrés, 1 - display of 900+- piece wood nativity carved by sculptor Francisco Salzillo (1707-1781)
Solius
Monestir Cistercenc Santa Maria de Solius (Cistercian Monastery) Museum - Exhibition of nativity scenes done by Brother Gilbert Galceran over the past thirty years. Except for rare occasions, open every day from 11-12:30 and from 3-5:30. (phone: 972-83-70-84) (between Barcelona and Girona, just off the Costa Brava at Santa Cristina d'Aro).
SWITZERLAND
Einsiedeln
Diorama Bethlehem -"the largest crib in the world"
Benzigerstrasse 23. Over 450 figures carved by Ferd Pottmesser of South Tyrol in the 1930s, in a permanent building. Open from Easter to the next to the last Sunday in October, 10-5. Sundays in Advent & 25 Dec - 2 Jan, 1-4. Groups by appointment. (phone: +41 - (0) 55-412 26 17 website: http://www.diorama.ch/english/descript.htm)
TWO NOTES
Be sure to check before visiting any of these displays. Hours, viewing times, exhibits, and even locations, often change.
This is a work in progress. As we learn of new permanent nativity displays we will update the list.
If you know of additional sites or can provide further
information on any of those listed, please let us know.
judydavis12@attbi.com - or
Judith Davis, 6520 Lagunitas Avenue,
El Cerrito CA 94530
This page, maintained by The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute,
Dayton, Ohio 45469-1390, and created by Kris Sommers was last modified
Friday, 04/22/2005 11:56:42 EDT by Kris Sommers. Please send any comments to
Johann.Roten@udayton.edu. URL for this page is http://www.udayton.edu/mary/resources/focguide.html
