D´Viechtwanger house Christmas crib

Scharnstein, Oberösterreich, Österreich

Birihub 8
4644 Scharnstein

The birth of Christ - traditionally and imaginatively inserted into the local landscape, with hand-carved figures in a diverse setting.

A wonderful example of the old custom of the landscape cribs is the Viechtwanger house crib of the Hageneder family. On seven square meters there are representations of the most important stations from the Annunciation of the Angel to the search for a hostel and the birth of Jesus and the procession of the Three Kings to the flight to Egypt. The biblical scenes, framed by Mediterranean palm trees, are imaginatively and artistically embedded in the landscape of the Almtal against the backdrop of the Dead Mountains - including the ruins and Scharnstein Castle, the Viechtwanger church and of course the house of Maria and Martin Hageneder.

The Viechtwanger house nativity scene is characterized by a large number of figures, the "Bring- und Wegmandl". From the “Lampöfanga”, the “Apfelbrocka” to the “Beinvogltraga” or the “Wunaling Neighbors, the Trüfömaunan” or the “Vergelt's Gott Mandl” the crowd of figures carved with heart and skill by Maria and Martin Hageneder, including the family members the Hageneder family are represented.

Every year a new figure or ensemble of figures is added - in 2020 the internationally known storyteller Helmut Wittmann with his wife Ursula. As a celebrity from the animal world, Nurmi the bear is also represented and maybe one day the bald ibises, which are again native to the Almtal, will also find their way. Local handicrafts and customs are reflected in the Glöcklerpass, the lumberjacks, the hunters or the gold bonnet women. Farmers show loving details when mowing and working with wood, right down to the hollow blocks left over from the last extension in front of the house.

In over 20 years, a total work of art has been created that is definitely worth a visit between St. Stephen and Candlemas.

Small nativity glossary Scenes that are shown in the Viechtwang nursery (as a pdf file for download under Multimedia / Documents)

Audio guide of the Viechtwanger house nativity scene

Further offers can be found at HISTORICUM SCHARNSTEIN.

Hint / Advice:

Here you can find the audio guide to the Viechtwanger house nativity scene!

Contact

D´Viechtwanger house Christmas crib

Birihub 8
4644 Scharnstein

+43 7615 2906
+43 664 73534703
mary.h@almtal.net

https://traunsee-almtal.salzkammergut.at/oesterreich-poi/detail/430012167/d-viechtwanger-hauskrippe.html

Contact person
Mrs Maria Hageneder
D´Viechtwanger Hauskrippe
Birihub 8
4644 Scharnstein

+43 7615 2906
+43 664 73534703
mary.h@almtal.net
traunsee-almtal.salzkammergut.at/oesterreich-poi/detail/430012167/d-viechtwanger-hauskrippe.html

Opening hours

D' Viechtwanger Hauskrippe can be visited in winter from December 28th, 2025 to February 2nd, 2026 every Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Other opening hours are possible by appointment.

Registration required

Arrival

Elevation

543 m

Accessibility / arrival

How to get to the Viechtwanger Hauskrippe in Almtal

We recommend that you travel by public transport!
by train:
from Wels station take the Almtalbahn (line 153) in the direction of Grünau im Almtal to the Scharnstein/Mühldorf stop, numerous connections from Wels station to the main trains on the Westbahn line (line 101) to Linz/Vienna or Salzburg and to Passau (line 150).
From the train station it is only a 2.5 kilometer walk to Grippe

by bus:
OÖVV bus line 533 Gmunden - Scharntein - Grünau im Almtal; bus stop Scharnstein In der Thann
The bus stop is only 3 minutes away

With the Salzkammergut Shuttle Service Route 52 from Laakirchen or from Vorchdorf with the Salzkammergut Shuttle Service Route 70 to the Scharnstein Ort stop, please call the cab center at least 1 hour in advance on 050-422 422 and order.
Approx. 30 minutes on foot or change to bus route 533.

Arrival by bike, weather permitting:
Coming from Wels or Linz on the R 11 Almtalradweg via Pettenbach to Scharnstein. Or via the R 4 Traunradweg or R6 Römerradweg, or coming from Passau via Vöcklabruck and Schwanenstadt to Lambach, via the Traunkraftwerk Lambach and to Bad Wimsbach-Neydharting in the direction of Vorchdorf Einsiedling. Continue via the cycle connection briefly onto the R 13 Traunviertlerradweg to R 11 Almtalradweg via Pettenbach to Scharnstein, in the direction of Almsee. At the junction in Dorfbühel, follow the Traunvierteltour in the direction of Gmunden. At the next junction, turn right into Birihub.
Also the cycle connection on the Traunvierteltour from Gmunden via St. Konrad in the direction of Scharnstein. After crossing the B120 in Thann, take the next left into Birihub.

By car:
Westautobahn A1: Vienna and Inntalautobahn A8 Passau in the direction of Voralpenkreuz - A9 in the direction of Graz - to the exit Ried/Traunkreis (also coming from Graz) - Voitsdorf - Pettenbach - on the B120 via Scharnstein in the direction of Gmunden. Turn right at the junction before the bus stop "In der Thann", take the next left into Birihub.
Westautobahn A1: Munich - Salzburg - Regau - on the B145 to Gmunden, also when traveling from Bad Ischl - B120 to Scharnstein - turn left at the junction "In der Thann", take the next left into Birihub.

Please only use the designated parking spaces and show consideration for private property!
Thank you for your fairness!