Schwanthaler Nativity

The mother of all nativity scenes of Salzkammergut

The Parish Church of Altmünster houses the mother of all Salzkammergut nativity scenes, the Schwanthaler nativity. It is the unique work of Johann Georg Schwanthaler from the 18th century. Born in Aurolzmünster in 1740, Schwanthaler ran his workshop in Gmunden, where he died in 1810. It was here that he made the Altmünster nativity scene.

The Schwanthaler nativity consists of seven parts, presented in seven display cases in the Confessional Chapel. From the Adoration of the Shepherds to the Circumcision of Jesus, from the Presentation in the Temple to the Finding in the Temple.

Since Schwanthaler never saw any real camels or elephants, the animals in the Adoration of the Magi are strange looking. The camel has a swan’s neck, while the elephant has a pig's snout, dog’s paws and an oxtail.

Many details were used by later carvers in their own work and still feature in Salzkammergut nativity scenes today, such as the sleeping shepherd, "Voda, lass mi a mitgehn" (or “Pa, lemme go too”) figure group and Gloria angel. They reflect the former poverty of daily life and all degrees of personal connection to the sacred event.

It also depicts the flight into Egypt, i.e. Joseph with Mary and Child riding on a donkey. The flight angel is considered the most beautiful of all Upper Austrian nativities.

The painted backdrop (from around 1770) has also become typical of Salzkammergut nativity scenes, as has the juxtaposition of "heavenly Jerusalem" with the alpine landscape and its inhabitants.

All figures still have their original paintwork.

In the past, the nativity scene was on the left side altar and later in separate components in the All Saints’ Chapel. Since 1974 it has been admired as a complete ensemble in the Confessional Chapel.

In addition to sculptures of saints and nativity figures, Johann Georg Schwanthaler's oeuvre mainly comprises reliefs. Many of them are now in the collections of the monasteries at Schlierbach and Kremsmünster and in the treasury of the Holy Chapel in Altötting. In addition he created a nativity scene and statues of the four Church Fathers for the choir of the Parish Church of St. Martin in Kematen an der Krems.

The nativity scene can be viewed from Christmas Eve to Candlemas daily from 2pm to 4pm and on Sundays and holidays from 8am to 11am.