Ukrainian Nativity Scene Vertep

Talented craftsmen and women gather together in the Ternopil region of Western Ukraine to make this vibrant nativity scene. The decoratively painted wooden stable can be disassembled and used as a wooden shopka (storage box) for your very own vertep (nativity pieces).

Vertep is the Ukrainian tradition of the nativity story presented using a puppet theater. The Ukrainian word Vertep is rooted in the Old Slavonic word for cave. The vertep (nativity) is traditionally housed in a shopka (from the Polish for box) and travels from house to house within a village. The performance of the Vertep would take place with carols, and the second act would consist of a varied comedic portion.

The loving detail put into each piece shines through in this nativity set. A blend of natural materials are hand molded, baked. sanded, glazed, dressed and finally painted to form the figures of the crib set.

Handmade in Ukraine and certified environmentally responsible by the certification of Ukrainian public organization Living Planet.

Joseph measures a little more than 5 inches tall. The box measures 8.5 x 8.5 x 5 when closed.

See more nativity scenes Ukraine or visit our Unique Nativity collection for more amazing nativities from Around the World!