Like many German Christmas decorations, the Schwibbogen came from the Erzgebirge. Beginning in the Middle Ages, the “Mettenschicht” was the traditional last work shift before Christmas in the Ore Mountains. In these deep, dark mines, a miner’s light kept the darkness at bay, and hanging them together along an arch would light up the cavern. The tradition of Schwibbogen, or German Christmas Light Arch, emerged from this mining tradition. A tradition born underground in the Ore Mountains, that spread across the world.
What is a Schwibbogen?
Simply put, a Schwibbogen is a candle arch. The word “Schwib” is an architectural term for a suspended arch between two walls, and “Bogen” is an arc or bow. The candles along the top represent the pit lanterns miners would carry into the mines.
On Christmas Eve, the foreman ended the “Mettenschicht” early by knocking on the walls (time to “knock off work”). Miners of the Erzgebirge would gather in one room and hang their pit lanterns along the arch of the pit opening or in an arc on the wall deeper in the mine. The foreman then led a special Christmas Service, after which a simple communal meal was served. The Miners may not have had soaring cathedrals, but this extra light in the darkness underground was a beautiful substitute for workers on this holy night.
(To find out more about what it was like in the mines, click here-> Abenteuer Bergwerk Mine)
These lighted arches are usually set on a window ledge so they can be enjoyed from outside as well as indoors. Although larger ones may be placed outside.
History of the Schwibbogen
Johannes Teller, a mining blacksmith in the Erzgebirge, is thought to have designed and fashioned the first metal Schwibbogen in the early 1700s. At the time, his town, Johanngeorgenstadt, mined silver, tin, and iron (and later, when it was part of East Germany, uranium). Today, the mines are played out, but the town is still known as the Schwibbogenstadt, or Schwibbogen City, and there you will find the oldest example of an iron Schwibbogen, made by SF Teller (Johannes’s descendant?) and dating back to 1778.
Initially, the Mine Blacksmiths created these lighted arches as gifts for the mining guilds. The smiths would work on them all year, fashioning them with symbols like the moon and stars or the sun and religious motifs, all under an arch of candle holders. Before Christmas, they would be brought into the mines for the Mettenschicht. By the 19th century, mining motifs and symbols representing other professions found in the Erzgebirge were added to the Schwibbogen.
Credit for making the Schwibbogen a symbol of the Erzgebirge goes to German book illustrator Paula Jordan. In 1937, she presented a design for a large-scale candle arch at the Feieromd Exhibition in Schwarzenberg. Using her plans, Kurt Teller and Max Adler built this massive 7-meter-wide, 4-meter-tall Schwibbogen, lit by gas lights! You can see the crossed swords and figures representing miners and toymakers in the Ore Mountains. Today, this Schwibbogen shows up everywhere!
Gerbil, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Also in 1937, Max Schanz built the first wooden Schwibbogen at the Seiffen Toy College. This one featured Seiffen’s famous round church. Toymakers and Christmas Decoration carvers added Schwibbogen to their repertoire, carving out figures with a jigsaw.
KWO Schwibbogen Candle Arch Erzgebirge German Smoker SMK211X68
By the 1990s, Light Arches were a common German Christmas Decoration. The wooden arches were lit with either candles or electric lights. The symbols and figures under the arch changed with the times. Today, you will find snowmen and animals, St Nicholas and forest scenery, Houses, and city churches. There are even Schwibbogen with SKIERS swishing down the mountains! The only limits seem to be in the designer’s imagination. Despite this, the original Erzgebirge designs, the Miners, and the Seiffen church are still popular motifs in Schwibbogen.
The first Schwibboge were made of iron so they could be carried into the mines. Today, they are more commonly made of wood for household use. Although you can still buy them with candles, today, it is more common to find them lit with LED lights.
Light Against Pandemic Lockdown
When Covid-19 caused lockdowns in March 2020, a call went out from the Erzgebirge to light Schwibbogen between 9 Pm and 11PM nightly. Much of Germany participated in making light against the darkness in a difficult time. The Schwibbogen, the special light stand that gave men who work underground so much hope, would now symbolize togetherness to the world above.
Whether you set yours in the window for Christmas or for a year round symbol of togetherness, a lighted arch is certain to bring delight to all who see it.
Dregano Christmas Nativity Schwibbogen Arch Made in GermanyDREGENO SEIFFEN eG Dregano Star Nativity Schwibbogen Arch Made in GermanyDregano Christmas Scene Schwibbogen Arch, GermanyAuthentic German Erzgebirge Handcraft 3D-Double-Arch – Seiffen Church – 62x37x5,5 cm / 24x14x2 inches – Michael Müller
Authentic German Erzgebirge Handcraft 3D-Double-Arch – Seiffen in Winter – 44x29x7cm / 17x11x3 inch – RATAGSAuthentic German Erzgebirge Handcraft 3D-Double-Arch – Seiffen Church – 62x37x5,5 cm / 24x14x2 inches – Michael Müller3D-Double-Arch – Erzgebirge Village – 62x37x5,5 cm / 24x14x2 inches – Michael MüllerAuthentic German Erzgebirge Handcraft Double-Arch Forest People Stack of Wood (3 Figures) – 42x30x4,5 7 16x12x2 inches – Michael Müller3D Candle Arch Cooking pros – 40x30cm / 15,8x12inch – RATAGS
BRUBAKER Christmas LED Light Arch – Old Town Winter Scene – 17.7 x 4.7 x 10.6 InchesOld World Christmas Schwibbogen (GCD115) Tealight Display, MultiDregano Christmas Electric Nativity Schwibbogen Arch
Tealight Schwibbogen
These smaller Schwibbogen are lit by tealights, and might be safer on a table or sideboard.
Santa Workshop Village German Schwibbogen Tea Light Candle Arch
Vintage Schwibbogen
Save money with these vintage Schwibbogen. They come with some love and history. I actually prefer these simpler styles.
Vintage Erzgebirge candlestick Folkart East Germany decoration #219
Vintage Erzgebirge candle arch folkart East Germany hand painted decoration
Extra Ordinary Light Arches
These Richard Glässer Schwibbogen are specially handmade in Seiffen. The attention to detail is incredible. Truly they are works of art that can be treasured for generations. Motifs include the Frauenkirche in Dresden and the Seiffen octagonal church.
Richard Glässer Seiffen German Candle Arch Frauenkirche Dresden Pyramid, Length 80 cm/32 inch, Natural, electrically Illuminated, Original ErzgebirgeRichard Glässer Seiffen German Candle Arch, Nativity Scene, Length 80 cm / 31 inch, Natural, electrically Illuminated, Original Erzgebirge by Richard Glaesser Seiffen
