Nativity scenes in the Krzysztofory Palace

The Krakow custom of walking around houses with a nativity scene dates back to the 19th century. However, after World War I, it began to slowly disappear. To preserve the nativity scene traditions for the next generations, Jerzy Dobrzycki, head of the municipal propaganda department, organized the first Kraków Nativity Scenes Contest in 1937. After World War II, the competitions were resumed, and their organization was undertaken by the Museum of Krakow, which continues the tradition to this day. The aim of the competition is to preserve and develop Krakow’s nativity scenes tradition, the effect of which, crystallized over several decades – the Krakow nativity scene – has become a worldwide phenomenon with established international reputation and popularity. The competition is of great importance for the promotion and popularization of this unique product of the tradition of intangible heritage.

The Krakow nativity scene is a phenomenon on a global scale. It is a slender, multi-storey, tower-like, richly ornamented structure, constructed of light, non-durable materials. It is characterized by the accumulation of fancifully processed and interconnected miniaturized elements of Krakow’s historic architecture, whose scenery has been infused with the Christmas mood.

Every year, on the first Thursday of December, the nativity scene makers 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 a.m. to 12 noon. After the Krakow bugle call at 12, a procession of nativity scenes starts around the Market Square, led by a folk band from Bronowice, leading to the stage, where nativity scenes and nativity scene makers are presented. The makers then move their works to the Krzysztofory Palace, where they will be assessed by the Jury, including historians, ethnographers, art historians, architects and artists.

The unique nature of the phenomenon is emphasized by its inclusion on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2014. Furthermore, since 2018, the tradition of making nativity scenes has been the first Polish entry on the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.