Permanent Exhibits International

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

With the Third Edition of A Guide to Permanent Nativity Displays we included a Ranking System for some of the Nativity displays listed. We continue it here. Since in many instances we have depended on internet websites for information, a personal visit could result in a ranking change.

Please let us know if you visit any of the places outlined in the Guide and tell us about your experience.

**** Must See. Nativity Museum – Large collection within a museum, church or other public place – Single Nativity definitely worth a visit

*** Should See. Sizeable collection within a museum, church, or other public place.

** Worth A Visit if in Area. Some Nativities interspersed among other displays in a museum, church, or other public place.

* Interesting. Nativity item that may prove interesting to visit if already in the area.

To Explore. Exact status to be determined. Let us know if you visit.

Be sure to check before visiting any of these displays. Hours, viewing times,exhibits, and even locations, often change.

To contact us: judydavis12@comcast.net - or
Judith Davis, 6520 Lagunitas Avenue, El Cerrito CA 9453

AUSTRALIA

Sydney – Nativity House – Christmas Museum, 136-146 Garfield Road, Horsley Park 2164 NSW. Collection of Elisabeth Van Mullekom- Cserep. Open October 1- December 24 every year, by appointment – year-round for visitors from overseas who arrange ahead of time. email: australia@nativityhouse.com.au or nativity@zeta.org.au website: www.nativityhouse.com.au fax: 61-2-9620-1609)

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. Open daily 9-5. Shorter hours Christmas-New Years. (+43/+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 Volkskunst museum (Museum of Tyrolean Popular Arts)Universitätsstrasse 2. Many Nativities among its extensive collections. Open daily 9-5. Sun, holidays 9-12. (phone: (+43 (0) 512 584302) http://www.tiroler-volkskunstmuseum.at

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.

Maria Taferl – (almost directly west of Melk). Krippenmuseum (Crib Museum).
Maria Taferl #17. Collection of Nativities, including a mechanical crib. Open between Apr 1 and Nov 2, daily 9-5. During the winter by advance reservation with Ulrich Arco-Zinneberg at 0664/1016528.

Mariazell – (150 km sw of Vienna, road to Kratz). Mechanical crib with 130 moving figures in 12 New Testament scenes – built by Mr. Bruno Habertheuer and available for viewing year-round in his home on Kalvarienberg. To visit go to the Main Square and ask for directions to the home of the Krippen family, Familie Habertheur.(Phone: 03882/2108)

*** 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, Tue-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: +43 (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, Tue-Sun 10-4; Nov-Mar, W-Sun, 10-4; Dec daily 10-4. (phone & fax:: +43+7272/575348)

Vienna - Österreichisches Museum für Volkskunde (Austrian Folklore Museum)
** Palais Laudongasse 15-18. Some Austrian Nativities on display. Open 10-5 Tue-Sun; Closed Mon., holidays. (phone: +43 (0)1-4068905; fax: +43 (0)1-4085342 http://www.volkskundemuseum.at)

Zirl – Heimat-und Krippen Museum der Marktgemeinde Zirl. Dorfplatz 2. Collection of cribs from Zirl area. Open Jan 6-20, June 1-Sept 15, Sat, Sun, 2-7.

BRAZIL

São Paulo – Museu de Arte Sacra, Avenida Tiradentes 676, Ponte Pequena. 18th CenTueryNeapolitan presepio with 1620 pieces. Newly installed 2002. Also Brazilian and other Nativities on display. Open Tuees-Fri 10-6, Sat-Sun 10-7. (Phone: +55-11-3326-3336)

CANADA

**** Montreal – Musée de L’Oratoire, St. Joseph’s Oratory, 3800 Queen Mary Road.
Collection of 850+ Nativities from some 100+ countries. About 300 on display from mid-November to mid-February; about 200, the restof the year. Open 10-5 daily. (phone: 514-733-8211 – http://www.saint-seph.org) Saint-Jean- (about 103 km ne Quebec City) In the local church (1779).

*** Port-Joli – 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 – Okresní Muzeum. Balbinovo Námeste. (Balbin Square).
Vast mechanized Nativity scene with 1398 figures; over 100 move. Made by Tomáš Krýza (1838-1918). Open: 8:30-12, 12:30-5. Jan 1-Jun 1 closed Mondays; Jun-Sept open daily. (40 km ne Ceske Budejovice)Telc – Muzeum Vysociny. Námesti Zachariase z Hradce. In south-west wing of Telc State Castle. “One of the most precious exhibits is…a mechanized crèche from the mid-1800s”. Open: Apr-Oct 9-12, 1-4; May-Sept 9-12, 1-5. (phone: +420 (0)66 724-3918)Hrad Roštejn. (Roštejn Castle). 7 km north of Telc, near village of Doupe. Late 19th CenTuery wooden crèche from Trest with 450+ figures. Open: Apr & Oct, Sat-Sun, holidays, 9-4; May & Sept, every day but Mon, 9-5; Jun-Aug, every day but Mon, 9-6; Closed in winter. (phone: +420 (0)66-724-3738)

Trebechovice pod Orebem – Muzeum Betlem. (Museum of Christmas Cribs),
Masrykovo Namesti 24. More than 160 cribs from around the Czech Republic on exhibit almost all year long. Best known is the Trebechovice Crèche made by Josef Probost and Josef Kapucian at the end of the 19e 19th CenTuery. More than 2000 pieces; most movable.

** Trebíci – Západomoravské muzeum (West Moravian Museum). 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, Tue-Su, 8-12, 1-5; Jul, Aug, daily 8-12, 1-5; Oct-Apr, Tue-Sun, 8-12, 1-4. (phone: +420 568 840518) (60 km west of Brno)

Trešt – Muzeum Vysociny. (Highlands Museum). Rooseweltova 462/6. Exhibits provide comprehensive view of Trešt crèche-making tradition, almost 200 years old. Open: Jun-Aug, Nov-Jan, Tuee-Sun 9-12, 1-4:30. (phone: +420-(0)66-722-4128)

ECUADOR

Cuenca – Museo de Las Conceptas. Monasterio de la Concepción. Hermano Miguel 6-33 at Juan Jaramillo. Collection of Ecuadorian Nativities which reflects the locally rich culTuere of Cuenca and the Andean region. Large Nativity set up at Christmas. On Christmas Eve an 8-hour Living Nativity pageant takes place in the town square. Open: Mon-Fri 9-1, 2:30-5:30; Sat, holidays 10-1. (phone: 593-7-830625)

FRANCE

** Aix-en-Provence – Musée du Vieil Aix, 17 rue Gaston 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: +33-(0)4 42 21 43 55)

Arles – Museon Arlaten, 29 rue de la république. Santon/Crèche displays, among others. Open year round 9:30-12:30; 9:30-1, Jun-Aug; also 2-5 Oct-Mar; 2-6 Apr, May, Sept; 2-6:30 June-Aug. Closed on Mondays, major holidays. (phone: +33-(0)4 90 93 58 11;fax: +33(0)4-90-93-80-55)

* AuTuen – Cathédrale Saint Lazare, place St-Louis. 4 stone capitals, sculpted in 12th cenTuery by master craftsman GisleberTues, 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 CapiTuelaire, one floor up from the church.

Fontaine de Vaucluse – Musée du Santon. Place de la Colonne. Contains 2000+santons; 60 crèches, many animated; works of more than 95 Provencal santonniers. Open every day 10-12:30, 2-6:30. In July and August, every day 10-6:30. (phone: +33-4-90-20-20-83 – fax: +33-4-90-22-36-62)

Générargues – Musée du Santon. Place du Telleul facing the Musée de aisons. Private collection of 200+ santons in a “crèche animée.” Gift shop with a large selection of santons. Open: June 15- Sept 15, 10-12, 2-6; rest of year Wed, Sat, Sun and school vacations 2-6. (phone: +33-4-66-61-66-74 or +33-4-66-60-72-40)

Grasse – Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Provence. 2, rue Mirabeau. Large late18th -early 19th century Provencal crèche. 18 3/8” high x 27 ½” across x 10” deep. Also a collection of Provencal santons. Open June-Sept,10-7. Oct-May 10-12:30, 2-5:30. Closed Nov 5-Dec 5 and Tueesdays from Oct-May (phone: +33 (04) 93 36 01 61 fax: +33 (04) 93 36 64 87. www.museedegrasse.com):

Gréoux les Bains, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence “La crèche de Haute-Provence” (300 santons in a miniature village, with sound and light), plus an exhibit of antique crèches, at the workshop of Martine and Gerard Moine. 36 avenue del Alpes (route de Vinon) Open: daily from Mar-Sep; closed Mondays Sep-4 Jan.(telephone: +33 (0)492-776108 fax: +33 (0)492-776459 email: santonsmoine@free.fr)

** Les-Baux-de-Provence – Musée des Santons, Ancien hôtel de ville. Small but interesting collection.

Le Paradou – “Le Petit Provence”. 75, Avenue de la Vallée des Beaux. theFontveille-Maussane-les-Alpilles road. Over 400 santons, crèches displayed in a miniaTuere village. Open every day 10-6.(phone: +33-4-90-54-35-75. fax: +33-4-90-54-35-67. http://www.lapetiteprovence.com)

Le Val – Musée de Santons. Small collection of santons, crèches.Open every day 9:30-12:30, 2:30-6:30. (phone: +33-4-94-37-02-22)

**** Lourdes – Musée de la Nativité – La Crèche Animée, 21, Quai Saint Jean. 3 sections: 14 dioramas depicting life of Jesus from the Annunciation to the scene in the Temple – movable scene of life in Palestine in Biblical times – animated scene of everyday life in the Pyrenees toward end of 19th CenTuery. Hours: 9-12, 1:30-7 year round. July, Aug also from 8:30-10 pm. (phone: 62-94-71-00)

Marseille – Museum at Marcel Carbonel STuedios, 47 Rue Neuve Sainte Catherine (phone: +33 (0)4 91 136136 or 542658)Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires du Terroir Marseillais – 7 miles northeast at Château-Gombert, 5 place des Heros. Several crèches from naïf to XVIII CenTuery to present day.Open Wed-Mon, 2:30-6:30. (phone: +33 (0)4 91 68 14 38)

Martigues – Museum of Old Martigues – old santons from the St. Juliencrèche. July, Aug open daily 10-12, 2:30-6:30. Otherwise, Wed-Sun, 2:30-6:30. Closed Tuees.

Maussane – Musée des Santons Animés (Articulated Santon Museum).

*** les-Alpilles Route de Saint-Remy – D5. Open daily 10-7. (phone: 04 90 54 39 00 www.mausanne.com/museedessantons.htm)

** Paris – Musée national des Arts et Traditions, Centre d’ethnologie rançaise, 6, Ave de Mahatma Gandhi. 4 santon displays + (“exquisite complete crèche of glass made in Marseille” – visitor, 2001) among many other exhibits on French life. (phone: +33 (0)1 44 17 60 00)

Pierrefeu-du-Var – Musée du Santon, Château de l’Aumerade, Route de Puget-Ville. Private collection of more than 1800 santons from 18th CenTuery to the present arranged in a crèche. Open every day but Sundays and holidays. 8-12, 2-6(Phone: +33-4-94-28-20-31)

Saint Cezaire-sur-Siagne – (15 km south of Grasse, French Riviera)Le Village aux Santons (Santon Village), 7 rue des Poilus. More than 300 santons, many animated, are set in a typical Provencal village scene. A crèche is part of the scene. Open every day. (Phone: +33 (0) 4 93-60-82-39)

Villard de Lans – (sw of Grenoble, in town center). Musée des Santons. Some 2000 pieces from 30 countries. Open year round, 10-6. (phone: +33 (0)4 76 94 09 94).

GERMANY

Annaberg-Buchholz – (south of Dresden) Erzgebirgsmuseum (Museum of the Erz Mountains) Grosse Kirchgasse 16. German Nativities. One display is a Weihnachtsberg, a mechanical model of a mine, combined with a Nativity and forest scenes. Open daily Tue-Sun, 10-5. (phone: +49 (0) 3733/23497

* Forchheim – Gasthaus Roter Ochs. Kirchplatz 3. Family krippe begun in 1945and 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: +49 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. 80/54.87.29. 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: +49 0 82 61-69 64)

**** Munich – Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (Bavarian National Museum)Prinzregentenstrasse 3. Lower level devoted to extensive display of cribs, with emphasis on Alpine and south Italian crèches from the. 18th CenTuery. Open Tues-Sun, 10-5, Thurs, 10-8. Closed Mon and major holidays. (phone: +49-89-2112401 fax: +49-89-21124201)

*** Schloss Schleissheim (Schleissheim Castle) Outskirts of Munich via S-Bahn 1:Oberschleissheim, Bus 292. Altes Schloss contains“Gertrud Weinhold Collection” of Nativities, some 60-70 fromGermany and around the world. Open Tuees-Sun, 10-5. (phone: +49-89-3155272)

*** 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 feaTuere of Christmas. Several paper crèches displayed, also a Baroque Tyrolean crib with 65 figures and a crèche castle. Mon-Sun, 9-6. Jan 15-Apr 6 open onlySat and Sun. Web site: www.weihnachtsmuseum.de

Schneeburg – Museum für Bergmannische Volksart (Miners’ Folk Art`Museum). Nativities among other exhibits.

Straubing – (40 km from Passau on der Donau). Karmelitenkirche (Carmelite Church)Mechanical crib with figures mounted on a wheel that Tuerns – the figures do not move. Also a Ganzjähriges Krippe (Eternal Crib) with 300 hand-carved and dressed figures. For the best church + other Nativities visit contact Guido Scharrer of the Bavarian Crib Friends (Guido@Scharrer-online.de or Phone: 09421/81445 Fax: 09421/180704) before leaving home and again on arrival. He will be happy to show you around himself or have someone else do so.

Telgte – Krippenmuseum. In the historic district at Herrenstrasse 1-2. Open year round, but closed Sept 16, 24, 25, 31. (phone: +44(0)2 504/93 120.museum@telgte.com (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.

HUNGARY

* Budapest – Museum of Ethnography. Kossuth Lajos Square 12. A few Nativities as part of a Hungarian daily life exhibit. Open Tue-Sun10-5. (phone: +36 1 473-2440)

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. Via Varrone. Permanent crib display. Open 9-2 daily. Closed Monday.

Bolzano – Museo dei Presepi nel Convento Muri di Gries, in the Roman tower of Abbazia. 18th CenTuery 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 the year on Sundays, 2-6. Groups every day with paid reservation. email: info@museodelpresepio.com)

*** Bressanone – Museo Palazzo Principesco 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.

Campobasso – “Guido Colitti” (1904-1988) International Museum of the Crib in MiniaTuere. Villa Colitti, Piazza della Vittoria.4. Private collection of over 400 small cribs from around the world. (phone: +39-0874413672)

Caserta – La Reggia, the Royal Palace – 18th CenTuery Neapolitan presepioof Spanish Prince Charles of Bourbon, King of Naples, 1734. 1200 figures. Open daily 9-1:30. Closed Mondays.

Genova – Brignoline Cloistered Nuns. Viale V.C.Bracelli, 13. Crib from second half 17th CenTuery with jointed wood figures by Giacomo Colombo. Only complete Neapolitan crib example of period. La Madonetta SancTueary. Baroque nativity, late 17th-early 18th CenTuery. (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 andNativity wall plaques inside. Small display of Nativities on the second floor.

Macerata – Museo Tipologico del Presepio, Palazzina Cassese, Viak Maffeo Pantaleoni, 4. (near Arena Sferisterio). 17th CenTuery Neapolitan presepio, regional Italian and foreign Nativities, as well as another 4000 pieces of staTuees, animals, accessories, bibliographical and philatelic materials, movies, slides, etc. Visit by appointment. (phone: +39 (0)733-234035)

Milan – Chiesa di / Church of San Marco. 18th CenTuery paper Nativity 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 delleMura. Permanent display of Nativities from around the world. Open Mon, Wed, Fri, 10-12. Visits possible outside this schedule by calling +39 (0)4-0271104.

**** 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: Tue-Sun, 9-6:30. Closed Mondays. Chiesa di Santa Chiara (Church of St. Clare), near Via San Gregorio Armeno – 17th CenTuery theatrical crib with many figures. Cloisters open daily 8-1, 4-7. Church of Santa Maria in Portico. Important crib with 24 large figures by Giuseppe Picano and Giacomo Colombo. Of the original 1647 crib ordered by Duchess Orsini di Gravina there remain 4 shepherds, the Child, one Magi, ox and ass.

**** 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 SanTueario, which is a place of pilgrimage (Apr-Sept) to the Black Madonna.

Ponte San Pietro – (near Bergamo). Diorama Presepistico. More than 30Nativity 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.

Reggio Calabria – Museum of Cribs of the Associazione Amici del Presepe. Via Filippini 46. Open year round 8:30-12:30, 4:30-8:30. (phone: +39-965817021)

**** Rome – Basilica del Santi Cosma e Damiano. Via dei Fori Imperiali 1. Presepio from 1750 – 45 ft. long, 21ft. wide, 27 ft. high (phone: +39 (0)6-6991540) 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-phany, daily 4-8; public holidays 10-1, 4-8. (phone: +39 6 6796146) Parrocchia di Santa Maria in Via. 17th CenTuery Neapolitan presepio, 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: Acireale – 18th Century life-size Nativity with clothed wax figures. Set in a lava grotto in a park in the middle of town. Open all year, but visitors may have to find someone to open the gate.

Caltagirone – Museo dei Presepi, 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: +39 (0)93323418 or +30 (0)93331732)

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 G. Pitré. Large presepio by Giovanni Antonino Matera, 17th CenTuery; others from 18th CenTuery.

Sumirago – Museo Internazionale del Presepio di Albusciago, (nw of Milano, direction Varese). 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:+39 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: +39 (0)997761799)

Trieste – Presepio ligneo monumentale (Monumental Nativity) outside Triesteat Grotta Gigante / Borgo Grotta Gigante (in cave). Open every day except non-holiday Mondays, 10:30-12:30, 2:30-4:30. (phone: +39 (0)40/311853)

MEXICO

Monterrey – Basilica de la Purísima. Hidalgo Poniente 748, cornerSerafin Peña, Colonia Centro. Lower Chapel. Collection of Msgr. Aureliano Tapia Méndez. More than 2000 sets. Open 10-12, 4-8, every day. (phone: 52-81-8342-9025/7092)

MONACO

Monte Carlo – Musée National, Principauté de Monte Carlo, 17 av, Princesse Grace. Santons from late 18th CenTuery-early 20th; 18th CenTuery Neapolitan crèche. (phone: 04 93 30 91 26)

POLAND

** Krakow – Basilica Mariacki on Rynek Glowny, the main square, has 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 Tueesdays. St. Andrews Church. Kosciol sw. Andrzeja. The Treasury contains some of the oldest Christmas Crib figures (14th CenTuery) in Europe.

PORTUEGAL

Azores: San Miguel Island. Lagoa. Museo do Presepio Acoriano (Azorean Nativity Museum). Lagoa Town Hall. Open Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30.

** Estremoz – Municipal Museum in the Upper Town has several display cases with 18th-19th CenTuery crib sets and individual crib figures. Open Tue-Sat,10-12:30, 2-5, Apr-Sep 3-7. Closed Mon (phone: 351-68-33-20-71/2)

** Lisbon – Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (Museum of Ancient Art). Rua das Janelas Verdes 9. Large Baroque Christmas Crib sculpted by Machadode Castro in lower chapel. 3 cabinets of crib figures on 3rd floor. of crib figures on 3rd floor. Open: Wed-Sun 10-6, Tuees 2-6. Closed Mondays. (phone: 351-21-396-41-51).

** Museu Nacional do Azulejo. Convento da Madre de Deus. (Museum Tiles. Convent of the Mother of God). Rua da Madre de Deus 4. Large 16th CenTuery decorative tile panel, Nossa Senhora da Vida (Our Lady of Life) shows the stable scene. A few Baroque crib figures by Antonio Ferreira on upper floor. Open Tuees 2-6, Wed-Sun 10-6. Closed Mondays. (phone: 351-218-147-747).

** Sé Patriarchal. (Cathedral) Alfama District. Large terra-cotta Baroque Crib by Machado de Castro in the Bartolomeo Joanes Chapel off thenorth aisle. (phone: 351-1-218-866-752)

SLOVAKIA

Martin – Ethnographic Museum, Mala Hora 2. Some Nativities among other exhibits. Open Tuee-Sun, 9-5:30. Closed Mondays. (phone: 310 11, 310 12)

Rajecka Lesna – (northern Slovakia, 30 km. South of Zilina) Slovenskeho Bethlehema (Slovak Nativity). (crèche is 27 ft. long x 9 ft. deep x 6.5 ft. high) Nativity scene carved by Jozef Pekara. The 170 moving figures in Slovak national cosTuemes and the background of historic towns tell not only the story of the birth of Jesus but the history and social activities of the Slovak nation as well. Open: Mon-Fri 9-12,1-5. Sat-Sun 9-5. (phone: 421-823/5488 134)

SPAIN

**** Alicante – Museo de Belenes, Calle de San Agustín 3, Casco Viejo. Nativitiesfrom 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: +34 965 20 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: Tuees-Fri. 9:30-3; Sat, Sun, holidays, 10-2. Closed Mondays.

**** Murcia – Museo Salzillo, Calle San Andrés, 1. Display of 900-piece (people and animals) 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: +34 972-83-70-84)(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)