Nußdorf cot at the music pavilion

The angel shows the way!

Every year during Advent, a nativity scene is set up in Nußdorf am Attersee from late November through Candlemas . Larger-than-life nativity figures are displayed in the bandstand of the municipality of Nußdorf am Attersee. The figures depict people from Nußdorf with striking resemblance.

History:
In 1998, the idea arose to make additional use of the bandstand during the winter as well. The Nußdorf “Goldhaubenfrauen” (women in traditional headdresses) teamed up with the painter and sculptor Nora Brunnhofer and created the core of the current display: the Holy Family with two shepherds, modeled after the husbands of active members of the traditional costume group: Hans the baker, holding a loaf of bread, and Walter the innkeeper, holding a wine jug and wearing a winemaker’s apron.
In the second year, the old Hiaslbauer family (Gruber) was added—honorable former Nußdorf farmers and townspeople.
Among other things, animals and supporting characters were gradually added as well. In the year 2000, several more figures were created, such as a pair of young brothers. The former owners of the Ragginger are also part of the group: he as the butcher with a wreath of sausages in his pocket, she as the unforgettable landlady concerned for the well-being of her guests, and, since 2001, Aunt Hanni as well.
Not to be forgotten is the elderly woman from Schwarzenbach, the mountain farmer’s wife with many children, who supplements her modest farm income with her basket of eggs. Toni the carpenter, a war veteran, is part of Nußdorf’s present—a humorous character from our village life.

The noble visitor to the nativity scene, Baron Eugen von Ransonnet, is now a figure from the distant past. The Three Wise Men were added to the Nußdorf Christmas nativity scene somewhat later.
Today, the community owes him a debt of gratitude for the initial developments in tourism in the municipality of Nußdorf am Attersee.
The nativity scene took on a regal air in 2001, when Nora Brunnhofer crafted the Three Wise Men.

The life-size figures stand in the bandstand in Nußdorf and cannot be overlooked by either strollers or passersby on the street.

The angel perched above the nativity scene proclaims:
“Take a break and stop by where the people of Nußdorf keep watch at the village nativity scene during the Christmas season—and with their ancestors!”

As mentioned earlier, the figures were crafted based on Ms. Nora Brunnhofer’s own designs. She is a trained painter and sculptor and has been responsible for countless sets and masks at the Linz State Theater since 1970.
Ms. Brunnhofer did not know most of the figures personally and therefore had to rely on photographs. When selecting materials, particular emphasis was placed on weather resistance and ease of handling.

Since the figures are life-size, setting them up requires plenty of helping hands. Thank you to everyone who sets up the nativity scene every year and keeps it in good shape! The Goldhauben Group, the Beautification Association, and the Friends of the Village Nativity Scene wish you a wonderful visit to the Nußdorf Nativity Scene!