Wooden nativity scenes from the Bernese Oberland
Andrej Abplanalp
12. December 2018
Wooden nativity scenes from Brienz have a long tradition in Switzerland. The original design was created by Hans Huggler-Wyss in 1915.
accessibility.sr-only.body-term
According to the Christmas Bible story, Mary laid her newborn son in a manger as there was no room at the inn. Nativity scenes pick up on this, representing it in countless different ways. The traditional exhibition of cribs this year focuses on the buildings surrounding the holy family: grottos and caves, ruins, different types of stables and barns, houses, churches and even a winter forest. Cribs from Switzerland and from all over the world impressively showcase the myriad ways that artists and crib builders have imagined and represented Christ’s place of birth. As always, the exhibition will be accompanied by a varied supporting programme for the whole family.
Christmas & Cribs
Guided tour for private groups through the exhibition "Christmas & Cribs".
Tour: 1 hour
Guided tours can be arranged outside opening hours: Mon between 9.30 am and 6 pm, Tue to Fri between 9.30 am and 7.45 pm. Sat and Sun between 10 am and 5 pm
| Registration: |
2 weeks in advance |
|
|
Duration: |
60 minutes; special packages can be offered on request |
|
|
Group size: |
max. 25 participants per tour |
|
|
Languages: |
English, German, Italian, French. Other offers upon request. |
|
|
Cost: |
CHF 180 for the guided tour + CHF 10 admission per person Children up to 16 years free. For groups of persons with permit N, S, F, the guided tour and admission are free of charge. |
accessibility.sr-only.person_card_info Reservations desk
National Museum Zurich
+41 44 218 66 00
Monday till Friday 09:00 - 12:30
Christmas & Cribs – Introductory tour
Kindergarten | Elementary school | Intermediate level | secondary levels I and II
Guided tour of the exhibition «Christmas & Cribs».
1 hour
Guided tours are free of charge for school classes from Switzerland.
Guided tours in English can be arranged, even outside opening hours. Guided tours are free of charge for school classes from Switzerland.
| Booking: |
at least 2 weeks in advance |
|
|
Duration: |
1 hour guided tours, other services by prior arrangement |
|
|
Group size: |
max. 25 people |
|
|
Cost: |
Guided tours for school classes from Switzerland are free of charge. |
accessibility.sr-only.person_card_info Reservations desk
National Museum Zurich
+41 44 218 66 00
Monday till Friday 09:00 - 12:30
There will be no media conference for this exhibition.
Please contact the media service for individual appointments, guided tours and/or interviews.
The media kit with images will be available for download here from 10:00 a.m. on 14 November 2025.
accessibility.sr-only.person_card_info National Museum Zurich press contact
National Museum Zurich
+41 44 218 65 64
- Overall management Denise Tonella
- Direction and Concept Christina Sonderegger
- Scenography and Exhibition graphic Alex Harb
- Advisory committee Roman Aebersold, Günhan Akarçay, Heidi Amrein, Beat Högger, Sabrina Médioni, Denise Tonella
- Project controlling Sabrina Médioni
- Cultural services and museum education Lisa Engi, Vera Humbel
- Technical management Ira Allemann, Mike Zaugg
- Exhibition construction Ira Allemann, Raúl Baumann, Ladina Fait, Philippe Leuthardt, Dave Schwitter, Marc Hägeli
- Conservation management Gaby Petrak
- Conservation and mounting of objects Gaby Petrak, Véronique Mathieu, Ulrike Rothenhäusler
- Object logistics and assembly Christian Affentranger, David Blazquez, Simon d’Hollosy, Reto Hegetschweiler, Aymeric Nager
- Loans Laura Mosimann, Claudio Stefanutto, Cristina Kaufmann
- Photography Jörg Brandt, Felix Jungo
- IT | Web Alex Baur, Thomas Bucher, Danilo Rüttimann
- Video installation Georg Lendorff, Zürich
- Marketing and Communication Anna-Britta Maag, Sebastiano Mereu, Carole Neuenschwander, Alexander Rechsteiner
- Advertising graphic Roli Hofer
- Translations Aude Virey-Wallon, Massimo Piras, Nigel Stephenson, Coline Thomas
- Alfred Dünnenberger-Hager, Baar
- Kloster Heiligkreuz, Cham
- KrippenWelt Stein am Rhein
- Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel
- Weihnachtssammlung Doris Albrecht-Mäder, Männedorf