Piekary Bethlehem Nativity Scene

Every Christmas Eve, after Midnight Mass, the Piekary Bethlehem (Piekarskie Betlejem) opens on Rajski Plac (Paradise Square) by the basilica in Piekary Śląskie – an open-air nativity scene that is both living and moving. Figures of Polish saints and rulers glide past the manger in procession, animals wait in their pens, and an old Silesian room displays furniture and household items from days gone by. The whole thing has its own backstory: it began with figures found by chance during a building project.

History: figures from the Millennium Panorama

Like other parishes, the sanctuary had long set up a crib before Christmas. The turning point came in 2014. When work began on a new retreat and pilgrim house, someone came across figures from the so-called Millennium Panorama – a moving installation from the 1960s, created for the 1,000th anniversary of Poland's baptism. It showed Polish saints and historical figures paying homage to the Virgin Mary. For years it was popular with pilgrims; then the figures were packed away. Ahead of the 1,050th anniversary they were restored, and a new nativity scene was born.

Since then the Piekary Bethlehem has grown every year. Volunteers build it in the weeks before Christmas, and the only break came in 2020, during the pandemic.

What to see

• The procession of the Three Kings – here the Magi are played by Mieszko I, Bolesław the Brave and John III Sobieski, three famous Polish monarchs.
• New figures added year by year: Pope Francis and St Hyacinth (2015), Our Lady of Fátima (2016), St Francis of Assisi (2018), Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński (2019), and later St Hedwig of Silesia and Blessed Fr Franciszek Blachnicki, among others.
• An exhibition of old Silesia – a kitchen and living room with authentic furnishings. At the entrance, mannequins in a miner's uniform and the local Rozbark folk costume greet visitors.
• The Chapel of Peace – a replica of the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
• Animal pens – each has a card with the animal's name, which children love.

The sanctuary next door

The Basilica of St Mary and St Bartholomew, together with the Piekary Calvary, is the best-known pilgrimage site in Upper Silesia. It houses the image of Our Lady of Justice and Social Love, regarded as patroness of working people. Since 1947 a men's pilgrimage has come here on the last Sunday of May.

Tripto tip

• When: the nativity scene opens after Christmas Eve Midnight Mass and runs for about a month – in recent seasons until 22 or 28 January. Check exact dates with the sanctuary before you go.
• Programme: the Piekary Bethlehem is also a carol festival with concerts and nativity plays; organised groups, especially of children, should book ahead.
• Time needed: allow 45–60 minutes for the nativity scene, or half a day with the basilica and Calvary.
• Weather: it is outdoors, so dress warmly – on rainy days there are noticeably fewer visitors.