One of these cities is Krakow: the Polish city hosts every year, since 1937, a cribs exhibition that has become one of the most important attractions of the city, appreciated both by visitors and Polish people.
The habit of representing the nativity scene dates back to the XIII century, when Saint Francesco, together with other friars, created the first crib featuring living characters playing the parts of some biblical figures inside a stable. This tradition probably reached Poland just thanks to Sanit Francesco, who arrived in the country in1237, and evolved with the passing of time, still remaining one of the main features of Polish culture: if during the XIV century these sacred representations feature coloured wooden figures, in the XVII century they turn into real theatre performances. Both static and dynamic representations begin then to include, together with classical biblical figures, also historical and legendary figures of Polish tradition, as well as contemporary characters, such as politics and artists. Some cribs, which are considered too extravagant, begin to be banned from churches.
However, although the first cribs begin to appear many centuries ago, the tradition of building the typical Krakow cribs that are still well-known dates back to the XIX century, when bricklayers, in order to earn some money during winter, begin to build cribs putting some puppets in them, and these cribs are then exposed in the market square. The best cribs builder are then hired to perform shows, and in order to make their works more appealing and catch people’s attention, they begin to take inspiration from the churches, towers, chapels, palaces and monuments of the city. Nowadays Krakow cribs keep being characterised by the fact that they are not simple stables, on the contrary they have more complex structures, in which everybody can recognise the main features of the most famous buildings of Krakow, such as Saint Mary Church. However, the first cribs competition takes place many years after, exactly in 1937, when Jerzy Dobrzycki organises the event for the first time. Since then the cribs exhibition has taken place every year, with the exception of the Second World War period, and is become an important event during Christmas time.
As it has been said, Krakow cribs are different from the classical ones because of their structure, rich in towers and spires, which makes them more similar to the historical building of the city than to a stable. Cribs can have various sizes (they can be some centimetres or some meters high) and are characterised by two storeys: the traditional nativity scene is to be found on the second floor, while on the first floor we find other historical figures. This is another peculiarity of Krakow cribs, which makes them similar to Naples cribs: in the scene not only biblical figures are inserted, but also protagonists of current events. Cribs appear particularly colourful and spectacular, and the rich decorations, comprising golden and silver plastic pieces, as well as faked precious stones, make them in some way similar to fairy-tales castles.
Cribs are traditionally exposed in the main city square (Rynek Glówny) on the first Thursday of December until noon, and the most beautiful ones are then brought to the Museum of History, where they are judged and where they remain exposed until late February.
The tradition of building cribs is particularly important in Krakow, and the exhibition always attracts many visitors. If you want to admire a representation of the nativity scene different from the ones you are used to, and in the same time to visit one of the most appealing cities in Europe, book now your cheap hotel in Krakow.
Tickets: free event
Date: December 2008 - February 2009
Location: Rynek Glówny Square, Krakow, Poland
Article Source: http://www.alltopinfo.com
This article was written by Michele De Capitani with support from hotel prices for any information, please visit cheap hostel in Krakow or for travel insurance visit bed and breakfast Krakow.
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