CZ, Ponikla – Hand-made Christmas Decoration and the Museum of the Craft of the Kronose

Rautis – Hand-Made Production of Christmas Decoration  and Glass Beads

The production of bead jewelry is a tradition over 100 years old. Everything is hand-made. Local technique is the only one in the world. Rautis constitutes of three parts.  The first one is a unique tour which takes you through the production of beads. Everything is made by hand – glass blowing, silver coating, painting, and decoration assembly. You will see how the real production line, the hands of workers tirelessly making this traditional product of Krkonose. The second part is the creativity workshop, a place of great fun for children and grown-ups alike. Here you may choose from a number of beads, and you may make Christmas decoration which, upon purchasing it, you may take away home. All creating is supervised by a supervisor. The third part of Rautis is the store Trpytiva krasa. Here you may choose from a wide variety of beautiful and amazing products. Some may well fit on your Christmas tree.

In 2005, Rautis was listed in the List of non-material Czech folk culture. It is likely that it will be listed in UNESCO as well. Here you may purchase the No 1368 tourist stamp.

The excursions take place daily. They start at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. at Trpytiva Krasa store. During summer, holidays, and weekends tours start every hour. Rautis is closed on Christmas (24th and 25th of December) and the Easter Monday. The entrance fee is set to 40 CZK for adults, 20 CZK for chidlren. A tour takes about 40 minutes. The creativity workshop is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday. You don't have to book a place in ahead.

The Museum of Krkonose Crafts

Would you like to see sledge on which President T. G. Masaryk rode? A weawing loom featured in Krakonos a lyznici movie? Well, this is the place for you. The exposition shows challenging life of the mountain people. They even managed to enjoy it. The owner guides you through the museum. She founded it with her husband 18 years ago. It doesn't receive any subsidies or grants, not something what would be usual these days.

It covers four floors inside a former barn. You may see an agricultural exposition, parish rooms, lighting, linen processing, washing and ironing, butter production, shoe production, buttno production, bead production, chest workshop, inn, the first republic fashion and fashion accessories. For instance, there are black pearls or Christmas tree made of goose feathers. Jitka Krejcova's baby carriage collection on museum's top floor.

There are two tourist stamps on offer (No. 1368 and No. 2212).

The museum is open all year round every day of the week. A guided tour takes about an hour. It starts at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. The entrance fee is 60 CZK for adults, 30 CZK for children and 50 CZK for pensioners.

I hope you will spend beautiful moments in Ponikla village.

GPS: 50°39'44.3"N 15°27'57.5"E

Text and photos: Filip Dyršmíd