 The first ice nativity scene was modelled in 1996 on behalf of the Graz tourist association.The renowned Villach ice artist Gert J. Hödl (1943–2017) who had already succeeded in Canada, Russia, Norway and Japan came on board for the artistic direction.After two years of planning Hödl alongside four employees carved an ice nativity scene out of 156 blocks with a total weight of 23 tons, a global first.