Třebechovické muzeum betlémů, Traditional nativity scene museum in Třebechovice pod Orebem, Czech Republic.
The Trebechovice Nativity Museum houses over 500 handcrafted nativity scenes made from different materials, showing regional variations and different construction approaches. The collection ranges from simple wooden pieces to complex mechanical scenes with moving parts.
The museum was founded in 1925 by Vilem Koles and grew from donations by citizens who contributed their nativity scenes. Over time it became a specialized institution dedicated to preserving and documenting this handcraft tradition.
Nativity scenes hold deep roots in Czech folk tradition and remain important fixtures in many households during the Christmas season. The collection reveals how different regions developed their own craftsmanship styles and how this art form passed through generations.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and offers guided tours where mechanical functions and moving parts are explained. The tours help visitors understand the complex craftsmanship behind these works.
The main mechanical nativity scene received National Cultural Monument status in 1999 and represented Czech Republic at the 1967 World Exposition in Montreal. This international recognition shows the importance of this crafted art form to Czech culture.
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