In the traditionally poor region of the Krkonoše Mountains, the production of Christmas decorations developed from the end of the 19th century, which was brought by the then new fashion of Christmas trees and their decoration. Therefore, glassmakers soon began to produce miniature pearl stars, spiders, angels, as well as prams and locomotives on a large scale.

Thanks to several families in Poniklá and the family company Rautis, this tradition has been preserved to this day.

It is a long and careful work, during which each piece passes through the hands of twelve people - from glass processing to cutting, painting and assembly. The company still has 20,000 patterns of Christmas decorations available and organizes excursions to the production process for those interested. In their creative workshop, it is possible to assemble your own glass Christmas decoration.

According to Vladimíra Jakoubě, director of the Museum of the Bohemian Paradise in Turnov (which prepared a nomination of decorations from Poniklá for UNESCO) these decorations are simple but exceptional and can be found on Christmas trees all over the world.

The inscription of this unique traditional production into the prestigious UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage List was successful in December 2020 and is a great success for all people involved. Also for the Czech Republic, for which it is even the seventh award!