Museum and exhibition
Since January 1996, a unique nativity scene collection has been housed in the Romanesque tower of the former Gries Castle. Back in the 1980s, Abbot Dominikus Löpfe OSB had set up small display rooms within the monastery to showcase nativity scenes that had accumulated over time; a few years later, they were relocated to the bell tower due to a lack of space. The new premises were professionally fitted with museum-grade display cases, and a dedicated area was also established for Lenten and seasonal nativity scenes.
The museum’s entrance area houses the particularly precious antique nativity scenes. The highlight immediately catches the eye: the “Lofferer Nativity Scene” (dating from around 1750), named after the former Loffererhof farm in Gries. For many years, it was displayed in the monastery’s recreation room before undergoing restoration in 1960. Unfortunately, the passage of time saw many parts lost, leaving only the exquisitely dressed figures from what was once a very extensive nativity scene. Nevertheless, it stands as an outstanding example of South Tyrolean craftsmanship and the local population’s piety: the shepherds appear in local traditional dress, while the Magi are clad in magnificent, gold-woven Oriental robes.
In contrast, preserved intact are a Baroque church nativity scene, a Christmas crèche featuring the Procession of the Magi and Herod’s palace from the Sterzing area, as well as a small nativity scene depicting Alpine rural life down to the finest detail. Also on display is a box-style nativity scene with paper figures from the Salzkammergut.
On the tower’s upper floors, visitors can admire a cross-section of recent work by South Tyrolean artists, as well as folk art from both the past and the present. Nativity scenes in Tyrolean and Oriental styles are displayed alongside examples of Spanish nativity craftsmanship and modern artistic creations from the local area.
The museum at Muri-Gries Monastery offers not only a truly special selection of nativity scenes; it also invites visitors to escape the pre-Christmas hustle and bustle within the monastic setting and rediscover the contemplative roots of Advent and Christmas.
We look forward to your visit!
