A living Tyrolean tradition: viewing the nativity scenes – Part III

Our ‘Nativity Scene Tour’ series continues: in keeping with the liturgical calendar, the nativity scenes in Tyrol are taken down on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (2 February). In the third part of our nativity scene blog, you can take a final online ‘tour’ of some more special nativity scenes from our region. Today we’re visiting the nativity scenes in the parish churches of Baumkirchen, Fritzens, Volders and Wattens. We’ll also take a look at the village nativity scenes in Fritzens and Baumkirchen, as well as the one in front of St Lawrence’s Church in Wattens.

In the second part of our series, we mentioned the famous nativity scene carver Johann Laimgruber, known as Mundi. For a long time, it was believed that the figures in the Christmas nativity scene in the parish church of Baumkirchen were his work. However, an examination carried out during the restoration in 2015 revealed that the figures are in fact the work of Johann Giner the Elder. The original background of the nativity scene had been painted by Franz Pernlocher (1877–1954) from Thaur. It was, however, replaced by a new background by Rupert Meßner.

In 1993, Karl Paulweber from Stubai carved the figures for the village nativity scene in Baumkirchen. They are almost a metre tall. The nativity scene is set up every year in the Waltgarten. The whole village pitched in back then to build a suitable stable for the figures. Under the expert guidance of Rupert Meßner, work continued throughout the summer, culminating in the nativity scene being handed over to the parish in December 1993. The people of Baumkirchen also played an active role in funding the project.

The figures for the church nativity scene in Fritzens were carved by Johann Gwercher; the sheep were crafted by Stemmberger. The background was painted by Pernlocher I.

The village nativity scene was created in the Rococo style by the academic sculptor Georg Eigentler. It is particularly special because of the ways in which it can be rearranged. The various scenes span the period from Advent right through to Candlemas. The depictions of the Christmas narrative include the Annunciation, the Nativity and the Flight into Egypt.

The nativity scene is housed in a specially built chapel. It has a grotto-like character and was erected in the summer of 2002 by volunteers under the direction of Manfred Thaler and Josef Troppmair.

This nativity scene had already been loaned to St Charles’ Church in Volders before the First World War. The provost, Eduard Mair, and the headmaster, Johann Paul Steinacher – who built the nativity hill – brought it back to Wattens in 1920. Unfortunately, all the figures were missing. Twelve figures and ten sheep were purchased from a nativity scene carver in the Zillertal. In 1935, with the permission of Vicar Zoller, Eduard Mair exchanged the nativity scene hill for an old one built by master blacksmith Schwarz in Volders. The backdrop was created by the artist Seelos in Zirl. In 1947, the Nativity and Epiphany groups were acquired from the sculptor Johann Kirchmair. To mark the 20th anniversary of the Wattens Nativity Scene Association, the nativity scene was restored and redesigned by the members. A new backdrop was designed by nativity scene artist Rupert Meßner. In the 1950s, figures by Johann Kirchmair and Josef Lechner, as well as sheep and goats by Franz Spiegl, were added. In 2004, three fountain figures by Karl Paulweber were added to the nativity scene, followed by a further two in 2006. The Wattens Nativity Scene Association sets up this impressive nativity scene in the parish church every year. Incidentally, the Wattens Nativity Scene Association was founded in March 1978 by eight nativity scene enthusiasts from Wattens, Fritzens, Kolsass, Mils and Baumkirchen.

On 21 December 1980, the nativity scene was set up in front of St Lawrence’s Church. The figures were created by Max Schwaiger. The artist continued to develop the village nativity scene from 1980 to 1989. Max Schwaiger created a number of works of art, first as a freelance artist and then as a part-time artist, in and around Wattens. The largest figure in the nativity scene measures approximately one metre. The stable is almost life-size. It was modelled by Max Schwaiger and built by members of the nativity scene association. Over 800 shingles cover its roof.

Just like Wattens, the parish of Volders is also an active nativity scene community, which normally hosts an annual nativity scene exhibition at the Volders secondary school. For reasons we are all aware of, this was not possible this year. Nevertheless, visitors can admire some very special nativity scenes in the parish church:

In the Volders parish church, there are two nativity scenes to admire: the wooden nativity scene by the altar and the so-called ‘Black Nativity Scene’. And another truly unique feature from the Gothic period!

As the name suggests, this nativity scene was owned by the Schwarz family for a very long time and was displayed in their living room until the 1960s. Thanks to the efforts of Father Donatus and Karl Wurzer, chairman of the Volders Nativity Scene Association, the nativity scene was first displayed in the vicarage in 1978 and later in the parish church. In 1985, Maria Schwarz bequeathed the nativity scene to the St John’s Parish Church in Volders in her will. Since then, it has been set up there every year during the Christmas season by volunteers.

The nativity scene hill was probably built by the former owner himself. The figures in the nativity scene were carved by the young South Tyrolean woodcarver Hans Demetz (1890–1912). Two figures in the foreground come from the workshop of Johann Kirchmair (1902–1985) from Mils. The sheep and goats were created by various woodcarvers. The painter of the nativity figures is unknown. The backdrop was created by the Zirl-based painter Franz Seelos Jr. (1905–1962) and dates from 1946.

The background of this nativity scene was also painted by Franz Seelos Jr. and was created in 1950. The figures, which are approximately 1.50 m tall and painted on chipboard, depict the Nativity. A landscape and a town are depicted on the rear wall of the nativity scene. On Epiphany (6 January), the nativity figures are replaced with those of the Three Wise Men.

The nativity scene carver Hans Demetz was born in Val Gardena and died at the age of just 23 on 19 October 1912 in Hall in Tirol. He is buried in Absam. His father, Ludwig, came from St. Christina in Val Gardena and worked there as a Christ figure carver in his younger years. At the beginning of the 20th century, Hans Demetz moved to Hall and enrolled at the technical college in Innsbruck in 1907. He very soon made a name for himself as a nativity scene carver. He did not apprentice to any master, but worked in his modest flat in Hall. He carved St Joseph for the Schwarz Nativity Scene whilst on his deathbed.

Virtually nothing remains today of the Gothic décor in the parish church of Volders. Only a small relief still bears witness to the history of the parish church. During renovation work in 2009, a late-Gothic nativity scene was uncovered in the altar area on the south side of the tower. It dates back to around 1500. The Nativity scene is the work of an unknown master from the Puster Valley, and it is believed to have been part of a winged altar.