Kraj, heritage protectionists, and municipalities signed an agreement on the restoration of the Bethlehem at Kuks

Kuks - A memorandum on cooperation in the rescue of Braun's Nativity Scene in the New Forest near Kuks in the Trutnov region was signed today by representatives of conservationists, the Hradec Králové region, municipalities, and the regional company Revitalizace Kuks. The nativity scene, composed of sculptures and reliefs carved into sandstone rocks by Matyáš Bernard Braun in the 18th century, is one of the most prominent monuments of High Baroque in Central Europe and is listed on the indicative list of candidates for UNESCO registration. In recent years, the monument has been damaged by vandals and weather conditions.

"The goal is to connect all involved institutions, whether it is the Hradec Králové region, the National Heritage Institute, or the affected municipalities, so that we can collectively contribute not only to making Braun's Nativity Scene more attractive but also to the preservation of this exceptional European cultural heritage," said Jiří Štěpán (ČSSD), the governor of Hradec Králové Region, to ČTK.

The basis of the project should be the restoration of the sculptures and the adjustment of the surroundings while maintaining the atmosphere of the entire space. The planned facilities will include a visitor and information center, parking, social facilities, information boards, signage, and a guided tour service that would also contribute to better supervision and protection of the monument.

The first phase includes the preparation of a professional study that contains the basic situation and details of the planned objects. Further stages of documentation and project applications will follow the study.

The monument is unique in that it is carved directly into natural stone in a very problematic humid environment of the forest. The project could also include dehumidification of the terrain around the nativity scene.

The nativity scene, which is owned by the conservationists, is located near the premises of the Baroque hospital Kuks, which was recently renovated for 440 million crowns and currently attracts many tourists. Braun's Nativity Scene was included among the National Cultural Monuments in 2001, and discussions about its restoration have been ongoing for several years. In recent years, restorers have worked in the area, cleaning the main relief, for example, from moss and dirt.