Nativity scenes at Krzysztofory Palace

Please familiarise yourself with the rules of the 83rd Krakow Nativity Scene Competition, available below.

Registration for the Krakow Nativity Scene Competition is conducted electronically. All those wishing to participate in the competition are requested to register via the website https://szopki.muzeumkrakowa.pl/ , which will be active from 1 November 2025.

Registration is open from 1 November 2025 to 30 November 2025 inclusive, until 11:59 p.m.

The phenomenon of the Krakow nativity scene originated in Krakow, the historical capital of Poland. This form of nativity scene developed in the 19th century. Popularised in the 20th century and cultivated to this day, it has become a model for contemporary craftsman. The development of the craft of nativity scene making had economic roots – bricklayers from the suburbs of Krakow sought additional sources of income during the quiet winter period.

The first competition for the most beautiful nativity scene in Krakow was organised on 21 December 1937 on the initiative of Dr Jerzy Dobrzycki. The outbreak of World War II interrupted the organisation of the competitions for six years. They were resumed in 1945, and since 1946, the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow has been the organiser of the Krakow nativity scene competitions. Since then, the director of the Krakow Museum has been the head of the competition jury.

The competition strengthens the tradition of Krakow nativity scene making, motivates the development of craftsmanship and creative competition. Thanks to it, a new type of Krakow nativity scene has been created – one prepared especially for the competition (while maintaining its traditional form). It takes place on the first Thursday of December, and from early morning, the creators of the nativity scenes bring their works to Krakow's Main Market Square and place them on the steps of the Adam Mickiewicz monument. On that day, the jury evaluates the nativity scenes, and the awards are presented on the Sunday after the competition. At that time, a post-competition exhibition of Krakow nativity scenes is opened, which can be viewed for almost three months at the Museum of Krakow in the Krzysztofory Palace. Every year, after the exhibition ends, the Museum purchases the most beautiful nativity scenes, enriching its collection. They are then presented at exhibitions in Poland and abroad.
 
During the competition and exhibition, we admire the nativity scenes above all, not always appreciating their creators. And it is to them that we owe the continuation and development of this unique tradition. Nativity scene makers not only create unique works of art, but also teach and encourage others to build nativity scenes, contributing to the transmission and preservation of Krakow's nativity scene tradition. The development of the nativity scene craft within families, often passed down from generation to generation, is particularly important – this is how nativity scene-making families are created. There are references to such families as early as the 19th century, e.g. the Ezenekier and Owsiński families in Krowodrza and the Malik family in Zwierzyniec. To this day, the ‘mother nativity scene’ made by the Ezenekier family has been preserved (it is located in the Ethnographic Museum in Krakow), but it is the Malik family that has been building nativity scenes for six generations. This is a notable exception, as in many families the tradition ends with the third generation. The longest-standing nativity scene-making families are: the Dłużniewscy, the Gillertowie, the Głuchowscy, the Markowscy, the Ożogowie, the Paczyńscy-Czyżowie, as well as the Freiberg brothers, the Madej brothers, and the Delkowski-Konieczny and Zarzycki siblings. In 2018, a new category was introduced to the nativity scene competition: family nativity scenes. This has strengthened the tradition of creating nativity scenes in successive families, from which young nativity scene makers emerge, who often build nativity scenes on their own. The following families have competed in the family nativity scene category so far: Adamscy, Bednarzowie, Bindowie, Dumańscy, Gawarecka, Mystkowska and Klaś, Gruchaczowie, Jaskiernowie, Kaczyńscy, Kochanowie, Maciaszkowie, Marszalikowie, Paterowie, Pawulowie, Rudzińscy, Soleccy, Szwastowie, Wąsikowie. Some have enough enthusiasm for a few competitions, while others stay longer and develop their passion.    

It is thanks to the craftsmans of the nativity scenes– custodians of the nativity scenes making tradition – and with the support of the Museum of Krakow that nativity scenes making was entered in 2014 on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and in 2018 – as the first phenomenon from Poland – on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

That is why, at the current post-competition exhibition of Krakow nativity scenes, it is the images of the nativity scene makers that introduce us to the exhibition halls, where you can see the works created by many of these artists.

This year, on 4 December 2025, nativity scene makers will bring their works to the Main Market Square and place them on the steps of the Adam Mickiewicz monument, where they can be admired from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. After the Krakow bugle call at 12:00, a procession of nativity scenes will set off around the Main Market Square, led by a folk band from Bronowice, which will lead to the stage where the nativity scenes will be presented. The creators will then bring their works to Krzysztofory Palace, where they will be evaluated by a jury consisting of historians, ethnographers, art historians, architects and artists.

Co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund – a state special-purpose fund.

The 83rd Krakow Nativity Scene Competition and the post-competition exhibition were held under the honorary patronage of the Polish National Commission for UNESCO.

MUSEUM PATRON:
Wodociągi Miasta Krakowa S.A.

EXHIBITION SPONSOR:
Bank Spółdzielczy Rzemiosła w Krakowie

MAIN PARTNER:
Hotel Mercure

PARTNERS:
Galeria Bronowice
IMAGO Centrum Sztuki Ludowej
ARTIM
Totalizator Sportowy Sp. z o.o. (LOTTO)
Krakowskie Zakłady Automatyki S.A.
CzuCzu
Gamescape Sp. z o.o.
Świat Małych Techników
Wawel S.A.
Król Kurkowy Maciej Żółciński
Towarzystwo Miłośników Historii i Zabytków Krakowa
Piekarnia Cukiernia Ekler

SPONSOR of prizes for the youngest participants of the 83rd Krakow Nativity Scene Competition:
ARTIM

MEDIA PATRONS:
Kraków.pl
TVP 3 Kraków
Kraków Culture Karnet