Every festive season, Kraków takes on a glow with the nativity scenes which take to the streets and squares throughout the city and illuminate shop windows as part of the campaign All Around Nativity Scenes, prepared by the Museum of Krakow and KBF. This time, nativity scenes of all sizes come to forty locations following the trail “Fabulously Colourful”.

Each edition follows a set theme which also accompanies the All Around Nativity Scenes walking route. This year’s eighth walking tour focuses on Włodzimierz Tetmajer – artist, author, patriot, independence activist and a great proponent of Polish folklore representing the Young Poland movement. 2023 marks the centenary of his passing. As you stroll around Kraków, you’ll discover places where he left his mark and learn about his life, stopping to admire nativity scenes along the way. Their authors reach for people, symbols and motifs indelibly written into the story of the city co-written by Tetmajer. The title „Fabulously Colourful” brings to mind Cracovian nativity scenes, as well as recalling the description of Tetmajer’s wife Anna by Ignacy Maciejowski. Wyspiański depicted Tetmajer in The Wedding as Host – brother-in-law of the Groom, modelled on the poet Lucjan Rydel, author of Polish Bethlehem. The play, exploring folk motifs, is a popular point of reference for Cracovian nativity plays. And so the festive cycle continues…

We invite you also to the Nativity Scene Contest Exhibition at Krzysztofory Palace.

Download the free tour guide.