Ranis castle town Schwibbogen – birch wood light arch

Outside, it gets dark early; inside, you want everything to look warm and familiar – and your windowsill is still missing the light that ushers in the evening. This Schwibbogen of the castle town of Ranis brings exactly that: the silhouette of the castle, the church, the Gasthaus zur Schmiede inn and the old town, softly lit by an LED light strip. If you know Ranis or call it home, this is a light arch that looks as if it were made for your own window.

What changes for you

• At Christmas, your window tells a story people will recognise – because the castle and old town of Ranis have been recreated from up-to-date photos.
• Simply set the light arch down and it stands securely – thanks to its varnished beech wood base.
• You set the mood yourself – with the dimmable LED light strip with USB connection and plug.
• No need to remember to switch it off in the evening – the version with switch and plug is ready for use with a timer.
• You’ll find the right size for every windowsill – because the Schwibbogen comes in two sizes.

Why this Schwibbogen makes a difference every day

A light arch in the window changes the whole room: the warm glow behind the finely laser-cut silhouette brings a sense of calm as soon as dusk falls. Instead of any old Christmas decoration, you have a motif that means something – the castle town of Ranis, just as you know it from the street. It turns an ordinary December evening into a moment when you’ll happily glance over at the window once more.

Material & finish

The arch is engraved and cut by laser. This gives smooth edges and fine, detailed contours of the town skyline. The birch plywood is left untreated. It is neither varnished nor glazed and shows its natural grain. Small variations in colour are part of the natural material and make every piece one of a kind. The base made of varnished beech wood keeps the arch standing securely. Every Schwibbogen is made in our own production at Bütic in Pößneck, Thuringia. It is neatly finished and only made once you place your order.

Dimensions & technical details

• Large Schwibbogen: width 64 cm x height 35.5 cm incl. base, 4 mm birch plywood
• Small Schwibbogen: width 32 cm x height 22 cm incl. base, 3 mm birch plywood
• Cut: laser cut, smooth edges
• Untreated wood, not lacquered or glazed
• Beech wood base, lacquered
• Lighting: dimmable LED light strip with USB connection + plug, or LED light strip with switch and plug for use with a timer
• Made in Pößneck, Thuringia
• Made to order, production time approx. 5–7 working days

How to use your Schwibbogen

• On the living room windowsill: switch on the light in the evening – and the silhouette of the castle town of Ranis glows through the dark season, seen from inside and out.
• As a gift for those who have moved away: having your home town in the window brings a piece of home into the Christmas season – a gift with real meaning rather than just any decoration.
• With a timer in a street-facing window: the light arch comes on right at dusk and switches itself off later – you don’t have to think about a thing.
• For a café, shop or inn in and around Ranis: an illuminated Schwibbogen in the shop window gives you a Christmas decoration with a local motif in just a few minutes. No big set-up needed.

Good to know about the Schwibbogen

The Schwibbogen comes from the mining tradition of the Ore Mountains: its arch of lights recalls the miners’ longing for light when they barely saw the sun in winter. To this day, it stands for the light in the window that shows the way home – and with the silhouette of Ranis, this arch links the old custom with a piece of Thuringian home.

Care & durability

There’s not much you need to do: an occasional dust with a dry, soft cloth is enough. As the birch wood is untreated, it’s best to keep the arch away from moisture – that way its light, natural look will last for many Christmases to come.

Options & what's included

• Large size: width 64 cm x height 35.5 cm incl. base (4 mm birch plywood)
• Small size: width 32 cm x height 22 cm incl. base (3 mm birch plywood)
• Lighting options: dimmable LED light strip with USB connection + plug, or LED light strip with switch and plug for use with a timer
• Made to order in your chosen size and version, production time approx. 5–7 working days
• Collection available from Bütic GmbH, Bahnhofstr. 12 in Pößneck; shipping also available

Frequently asked questions

Is the wood treated? No, the birch plywood is untreated – neither varnished nor glazed. Only the beech wood base is varnished.

How is the Schwibbogen lit? You can choose between a dimmable LED light strip with USB connection and plug, or an LED light strip with switch and plug that is suitable for use with a timer.

Is the light arch meant for indoor use? Yes. As the wood is untreated, the arch belongs in dry indoor spaces – such as on a windowsill or in a shop window.

How long does production take? Every arch is made to order in your chosen size and version; production time is approx. 5–7 working days.

Can I collect the Schwibbogen? Yes, you can collect it from Bütic GmbH, Bahnhofstr. 12 in Pößneck – shipping is also available.

In the end, it’s not about an arch made of birch wood. It’s about the evening when the castle of Ranis glows in your window and the room starts to feel like Christmas. Simply choose your size and the lighting you’d like – and we’ll make your Schwibbogen for you.