The biggest Christmas crib in Central Europe is in Hungary!

Thousands of pilgrims are expected to visit the Christmas crib in Kisgyőr. The biggest open-air fixed Christmas crib of Central Europe can be found near Miskolc. The outstanding monument of the village near Bükk National Park has recently become a place of pilgrimage, reports turizmus.com.

In the Advent season, starting from Sunday, until the New Year, locals expect over 3,000 tourists from different parts of the country. In the village, at the moment, there are 127 wooden sculptures in public areas, the Christmas crib is one of those attracting the most visitors.

It guards Hungarian traditions, pastors and kings dressed in national costume make it special.

Among them, Béla IV and Saint Lászlo are depicted, dressed in long embroidered felt cloaks. The four towers are the emblems of this Christmas crib, which symbolise the historical churches: the Catholic, the Greek Catholic, the Lutheran and the Calvinist churches.

Opposite to the Village Hall, the big, wooden craft belfry was recently inaugurated. It was made by the participants of the Family Handcraft Camp of Kisgyőr and the members of ‘Szép Teremtő Kaláka’ group. Four sculptures (symbolising water, fire, air and earth) hold the belfry, which was built for the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation. A small church bell was placed inside, which was given to the village as a gift from László Vajda blacksmith.

The specialty of the tower is the sunk paneled ceiling which was part of the Calvinist church that burnt down in the 1600s.

Participants of the Handcraft camp carved out the portrait of László Lajtha, Kossuth-prize winner musician, folk music researcher, and music teacher. Next to his sculpture, one of his helpers can be seen, dressed in long embroidered Hungarian felt cloak.

Locals expect visitors with a concert and a show. On the 10^th of December a classical music concert will be held in the Village Hall. On the 17^th, a traditional Christmas crib story will be acted out and popular ancient songs will be recited. Afterwards, they will walk to the crib together, singing Christmas songs.

Mayor László Vilmos Kékedi said they expect even more tourists next year in Kisgyőr. In 2018, they will open new restaurants and hotels in the village and they start building an 8 km long bicycle road connecting the village with Miskolc-Tapolca.

Featured Image: http://www.kisgyor.hu

Source: turizmus.com