On Tuesday 20 December 2022, this exhibition will be closed to the public for a special event from 10:00 to at least 15:00.
This year, the traditional Christmas exhibition at the National Museum Zurich will be highlighting nativity scenes, created and assembled by female crafters. Nativity scene makers not only use a wide variety of materials such as wax, clay and wood, but also breathe life into their figures and landscapes with carefully draped fabric and lovingly detailed embellishments. Wood sculptors Camilla Braunger and Márcia Bieri have carved two unique pieces especially for the exhibition. The numerous figures are complemented by a display of historical advent calendars and a varied accompanying programme of events and activities for the whole family.
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 |
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Duration: |
60 minutes; special packages can be offered on request |
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Group size: |
max. 25 participants per tour |
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Languages: |
English, German, Italian, French. Other offers upon request. |
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Cost: |
CHF 180 for the guided tour + CHF 8 admission per person Children up to 16 years free. For groups of people with permit N, S, B, F (refugee) or F (foreigner), the guided tour and admission are free of charge. |
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 |
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Duration: |
1 hour guided tours, other services by prior arrangement |
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Group size: |
max. 25 people |
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Cost: |
Guided tours for school classes from Switzerland are free of charge. |
Alexander Rechsteiner
24. December 2018
Over 200 years ago, ‘Silent Night, Holy Night’ was performed for the first time. Thanks to its moving message and captivating melody, it is one of the world’s most popular Christmas carols.
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Kurt Messmer
4. December 2020
The legends of the saints are written without footnotes. They can’t be checked and verified. The significance of these legends lies in the moral ideal that lives on in elaborate portrayals as a gentle entreaty to follow their saintly example.
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Alexander Rechsteiner
25. December 2019
On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the gifts are handed out! But has it always been that way? 150 years ago, 6 December was always the big day for children.
ContinueAdvent is a special time of year. This year, the exhibition of traditional nativity scenes at the National Museum Zurich will be focusing on cribs created by female crafters. The figures are complemented by a display of historical advent calendars and an extensive accompanying programme of events and activities.
This year, the traditional Christmas exhibition at the National Museum in Zurich will be showcasing manger scenes crafted by women. Women play an important role as designers, bringing their own special flavour to the diverse range of cribs. They use a wide variety of materials and techniques to breathe life into their figures and landscapes. Wood sculptors Camilla Braunger and Márcia Bieri, who have dedicated themselves to the traditional art of Brienz wood carving, have created two exhibits especially for the exhibition. Hanny Roduner’s charming fabric figures delight viewers with their lovingly crafted details. And the landscapes created by Lucette Pauchard-Remy feature a mix of Advent and folk customs. A porcelain artist from Bulle, Lucette Pauchard-Remy, skilfully blends elements of traditional Gruyère painting (Sennentumsmalerei) with the story of Jesus’ birth, creating a very distinctive world in her enchanting works.
To go with the exhibition of approximately 20 cribs, a large collection of historical advent calendars is also on display. For more than 100 years, various forms of calendars have made the long countdown to Christmas more bearable. A special focus is on calendars with St Nicholas subjects. The exhibition is accompanied by a diverse supporting program and offers entertainment for the whole family.