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Schloss Ritzen Museum
The Ritzen Museum in Saalfelden is one of the four remaining castles in Saalfelden. Saalfelden is surrounded by several old noble residences, namely the castles Lichtenberg, Dorfheim, Farmach and Ritzen. Since 1968, the main building has housed the Saalfelden Museum of Local History with one of the largest and most important collections of folkloristic nativity scenes in Austria.
Crib collection
The Schloss Ritzen Museum in Saalfelden is home to one of the largest collections of cribs in Austria – and one of the most significant in terms of folklore. An instrumental figure in establishing and shaping the collection was the local crib builder Alexander “Xandi” Schläffer (Saalfelden, 1899–1984), whose reputation extended far beyond the borders of Austria. His efforts to build up the collection helped ensure that unique box cribs and decorations, some of which date back to the 18th century, were preserved. This uniquely rich and varied collection documents the crib traditions of this region through the centuries.
