Holy grave

The Holy Sepulchre - Schwarzenberg am Böhmerwald - Permanent exhibition in the Heimathaus

Around 1850, the then parish priest of Schwarzenberg had a very beautiful Holy Sepulchre built for Holy Week, which was made by the local master carpenter Johann Mayr:

"Magnificent in its kind, as one seldom finds it".

reports the parish chronicle. For almost 40 years, however, it lay unnoticed in the barn of the vicarage until the Schwarzenberg am Böhmerwald cultural association took it on and reactivated it. Eight dismountable wooden arches - placed one behind the other - are arranged in such a way that an archway-like niche forms in front of and above the altar, opening up to the church interior. A flat gable with a span of more than five metres forms the upper boundary of the display side. The total height of the tomb, including the statue of the Risen Christ, is 6.30 metres.

Hundreds of colourful lard lights

The special attraction of this work of art are hundreds of lard lights, which, lit behind a chain of glass spheres, "created a peculiar and delightful atmosphere" in the darkened room. Each glass ball holds half a litre of red, blue, yellow or violet coloured water, which, through the reflection of the lights, makes each ball shine in all its colourful glory. Glassmaking has a long tradition in the wood-rich Bohemian Forest.

Once upon a time, women coloured the water with saffron and other natural dyes, and to fill the lard glasses, the people of Schwarzenberg donated beef tallow or lard, later cooking oil, "which burns just as well".

For many years the Holy Sepulchre was set up in the church on Maundy Thursday by the men of the parish council and delighted numerous visitors from Good Friday to Holy Saturday with its splendour of lights.

Next to the parish church in the Heimathaus, the magnificent Holy Sepulchre has been accessible all year round for years and invites visitors to marvel, but also to reflect, especially during the Easter season. Visitors are always welcome!