Schwibbogen, a German Christmas Light Arch from the Erzgebirge

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.

Dregano Carolers Village Schwibbogen Candle Arch, Germany

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 work early for the “Mettenschicht” 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, they would mine 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?) which dates back to 1778.

Initially, the Mine Blacksmiths would create these lighted arches as a gift 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 that was lit with gas lights! You can see the crossed swords and figures representing minors 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.

Originally, they 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.

Müller German candle arch Carolers small village, length 57 cm / 22 inch, natural, electrical illuminated (120V, 50Hz), original Erzgebirge by Mueller Seiffen

German Christmas Market stalls have an incredible selection of modern Schwibbogen, something for everyone.
Click here to find a large selection of Schwibbogen for your home.

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 Germany DREGENO SEIFFEN eG Dregano Star Nativity Schwibbogen Arch Made in Germany Dregano Christmas Scene Schwibbogen Arch, Germany Authentic 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 – RATAGS Authentic German Erzgebirge Handcraft 3D-Double-Arch – Turning Workshop – 43x30x7cm / 17x11x3 inch – RATAGS Authentic German Erzgebirge Handcraft 3D – Double Arch – Cologne Cathedral – 50cmx32cm / 16.7×12.6inch – Schlick & Türk Authentic German Erzgebirge Handcraft 3D-Double-Arch – Seiffen Church – 62x37x5,5 cm / 24x14x2 inches – Michael Müller 3D-Double-Arch – Erzgebirge Village – 62x37x5,5 cm / 24x14x2 inches – Michael Müller Authentic German Erzgebirge Handcraft Double-Arch Forest People Stack of Wood (3 Figures) – 42x30x4,5 7 16x12x2 inches – Michael Müller 3D 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 Inches Old World Christmas Schwibbogen (GCD115) Tealight Display, Multi Dregano Christmas Electric Nativity Schwibbogen Arch

Tealight Schwibbogen

These smaller Schwibbogen are lit by tealights, and might be safer on a table or sideboard.

Dregano Carolers Village Schwibbogen Candle Arch, Germany

Vintage Schwibbogen

Save money with these vintage Schwibbogen. They come with some love and history. I actually prefer these simpler styles.

Vintage Erzgebirge candle arch folkart East Germany hand painted decoration #70 Vintage Bow Choir Singers Wooden Figures Candle Bow Real Erzgebirge Star Singers Advent Vintage Christmas Folk Art German Vintage German Handmade Christmas Candle Bridge Classic electric candle arch Christmas lights. German Christmas light arch from the Erzgebirge. Wooden menorah. Carved wood. 110 volts.

Vintage Erzgebirge candlestick Folkart East Germany decoration #219 Vintage Erzgebirge candle arch folkart East Germany hand painted decoration

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 Erzgebirge Richard Glässer Seiffen German Candle Arch, Nativity Scene, Length 80 cm / 31 inch, Natural, electrically Illuminated, Original Erzgebirge by Richard Glaesser Seiffen Richard Glässer Seiffen German Candle Arch Frauenkirche Dresden, Length 80 cm / 32 inch, Natural, electrically Illuminated, Original Erzgebirge by Richard Glaesser Seiffen