Třebechovické muzeum betlémů

The Museum of Nativity Scenes in Třebechovice pod Orebem is the only museum in the Czech Republic devoted entirely to Christmas nativity scenes — both static and mechanical. It sits in the small town of Třebechovice pod Orebem, in the Hradec Králové region, and draws visitors well beyond what its modest size would suggest.

How did this museum come to be?

The museum traces back to 1925, when it was founded thanks to Vilém Koleš, who had spent years collecting written and material records related to Třebechovice and its surroundings. Over time the collection shifted toward nativity scenes specifically, largely thanks to the Vaclík couple, who acquired folk nativity scenes from across the country and documented local nativity-carving craftsmanship. Since 5 September 2013, the museum has occupied a new, purpose-built building that lets the collection be displayed properly.

What will you actually see inside?

The collection holds several hundred nativity scenes made from a wide range of materials — wood, paper, wax, even dough — gathered from many different regions of the country. Walking through it amounts to a tour of Czech nativity-scene traditions in their many local variations.

The undisputed highlight, though, is the Probošt nativity scene, a unique work by folk carvers Josef Probošt and Josef Kapucián together with mechanic Josef Friml. Carved entirely from wood more than a century ago, it consists of several hundred hand-carved figures, roughly 200 of which move through an intricate mechanism. In 1999 it was declared a national cultural monument — the only nativity scene in the country to hold that status. It's the moving figures, animated by that century-old clockwork, that leave the strongest impression on visitors, whatever the season.

How do you get there?

Třebechovice pod Orebem lies a short distance from Hradec Králové, which is easiest to reach by train or bus from Prague or other major regional cities. From Hradec Králové, regular bus and rail connections run to Třebechovice, and the town itself is small enough that the walk from the station to the museum takes only a few minutes. Drivers benefit from the town's proximity to the main roads linking Hradec Králové with eastern Bohemia.

When is the best time to visit?

The museum is worth a visit year-round, but the run-up to Christmas (roughly November through January) gives it a special atmosphere, since the nativity theme naturally fits the town's festive mood at that time. As with any museum, opening hours can vary seasonally or the museum may close on certain days, so it's worth checking the current schedule before setting off.

Frequently asked questions

Is this really the only museum of its kind in the Czech Republic? Yes — it is the only Czech institution dedicated entirely to documenting and displaying static and mechanical nativity scenes.

What is the most valuable exhibit? The Probošt nativity scene, a mechanical work over a century old with around 200 moving figures, declared a national cultural monument in 1999.

How many nativity scenes are in the collection? Several hundred, made from various materials and gathered from many regions of the Czech Republic.

Since when has the museum been in its current building? Since 5 September 2013, when the collection moved into a new, purpose-built home.