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The Polish city of Kraków has a rich tradition of building fanciful and elaborate Nativity sets, known in Polish as szopki, that dates back to the arrival of Franciscan friars in the city in the Thirteenth Century. These have become tremendously popular and a cultivated craft:
To bring in a national color, historical figures from local legends were added to the scenes. Many other Biblical figures like King Herod and the Holy Family started making appearances too. By the eighteenth century, the figures had become movable, with stick puppets and string marionettes being introduced. While all this was taking place at Church, the excitement had gotten out of hand as decided by the Bishop Teodor Czartoryski, who banned the plays from churches in 1736. Only immobile scenes were permitted in church, the live puppet shows being passed down to the people. This was the beginning of the szopka as it is known today.
Some szopki are six feet tall! View several more pictures of them at the link.
Link | Photo: Lukasz Zoladz
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Strictly speaking, the three zombies from the East didn’t arrive until much later, but it’s traditional to place them at Bethlehem on Christmas. Etsy sellers Robin and Zered follow in this tradition with this nativity set made from Sculpey clay.
Link -via Boing Boing | Previously: Top Ten Worst Nativity Sets
This photograph of unknown provenance shows a Nativity scene made out of meat and sauerkraut. All it needs is an angelic host made out of deviled ham.
via Say Uncle
UPDATE: Say Uncle emails to say that it’s probably hash browns, not sauerkraut. What do you think?
UPDATE 12/3/10: Say Uncle has found the original source.
Michael Jordan of Urlesque compiled pictures of and links to some of the strangest nativity sets ever made. Some of these have previously been featured on Neatorama, but most will be new to readers. These include a bake set, one made out of human hair, and one made out of marshmallows.
Link | Photo: Museum of Idolatry
Etsy seller Podkayne Studios sells nativity sets that remember the Christmas story just a little bit differently. Dinosaur, Star Wars, Pokémon, Indiana Jones and other themes are available.
Link via Geekologie
Less is more with this Christmas nativity set by artist Oliver Fabel, available in German and in English. Link -via Swiss Miss
