An introduction to the Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany

In July 2010 I visited Oberammergau, in southern Germany to see the famous Oberammergau Passion Play and make a 5 day tour of the surrounding region in Bavaria. The Passion Play is a story of life, death and resurrection and it all started in 1633 as bubonic plague spread through Europe and knocked at the door of the village of Oberammergau in Bavaria.

In an attempt to avert death and disaster the villagers struck a deal with God and took a vow that if they were spared, they would perform a Passion Play of the life, death and resurrection of Christ. God heard their prayers and there were no more deaths in Oberammergau and true to their promise, the villager have performed the Passion Play in Germany every ten years since then.

Listen to my Podcast from the 2010 visit: Oberammergau Passion Play and Altötting in Bavaria

It’s a story worthy of a Hollywood movie don’t you think? Even more gripping than that other musical tale of religious devotion and drama set in an Alpine setting – do I hear the Sound of Music?

Much of the town’s population is involved

From Ash Wednesday the good folk of Oberammergau throw away their razors and turn their backs on the hair salons, as all actors are required to grow their hair and beards in preparation for the play, for ultimate authenticity.

Over half the population of 5000 strong in the town are involved in some way as performers, costume makers or in producing the play, not to mention feeding and housing all the visitors. The motto “don’t work with children or animals” doesn’t wash here as even donkeys get a bit part in the crowd scenes.

Read more: Tips for visiting the Oberammergau Passion Play

If you think you might like to audition for future productions, I’m afraid you’re unlikely to be eligible. Only those only those who were born in Oberammergau or who have lived there for over 20 years may take part. Tose who have earned their badge of honour in earlier plays may go on to play the principal parts in later years.

Between May and September, for five days a week the play is performed for a marathon five hours. It begins mid afternoon and goes until the evening with a break in the middle for dinner.

There’s a specially constructed theatre where the audience and orchestra are undercover. Actors exposed to the elements, so if it rains there’s an extra air of reality and no doubt everyone hopes the sun shines for the resurrection.

Read more from this trip: Painted houses and wood carving at Oberammergau – in Bavaria, Germany

Things to do in Oberammergau

The town of Oberammergau would be worth a visit at any time of year, in a valley surrounded by Alpine mountain ranges. The town is known for its wood carvers, a traditional winter pastime for farmers, and for the pretty traditional houses with painted murals.

In the years between the Passion play you can visit the Museum of Oberammergau and nearby Linderhof castle. Explore the woodcarving studios and walk and enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery.

Explore more of the region on this day-trip to the splendid castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof, lunch in Hohenschwangau, and through the little town of Oberammergau

Plan ahead for tickets

If you’re thinking that you might just turn up for some last minute Oberammergau tickets, I wouldn’t bother. Because of the large numbers of visitors, and the fact that it’s only every 10 years, tickets are in short supply and get booked up well ahead.

Most visitors book through one of the Oberammergau Passion Play tours and only stay in the town for one day to see the play. Many combine this with visits to other parts of Germany and Austria such as Heidelberg, Innsbruck, Salzburg or Lake Garda.

I visited Oberammergau to see the Passion Play in July 2010 on a 5 day tour that started in Munich. If you’d like to visit in the future you may find that some tours are still available from travel companies that specialise in religious pilgrimages.

It’s also possible just buy a ticket for the play on it’s own. The tours are expensive, but it was certainly a once in a lifetime experience.

Explore more of the region on this day-trip to the splendid castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof, lunch in Hohenschwangau, and through the little town of Oberammergau

Hotels in Oberammergau

Booking your accommodation independently or visiting outside the period of the Oberammergau Passion Play? Here are some hotels in Oberammergau that we recommend. If none of these suit you, look at other hotels in Oberammergau.

Hotel Maximilian in Oberammergau – A 5 star Alpine design hotel with a spa and sauna, a traditional Bavarian bar and upscale restaurant. Centrally located in the heart of Oberammergau.

Landhotel Böld Oberammergau – This 4 star hotel offers contemporary Bavarian decor and scenic views of the Alps. Located by the river Ammer, on the edge of Oberammergau town centre.

Parkhotel Sonnenhof in Oberammergau – A 55 room 4 star Alpine style hotel with spa and indoor swimming pool. Located on the edge of Oberammergau, just across the river from the old town.

Oberammergau Passion Play – Visitor Resources

To plan your visit to Oberammergau check out the official Oberammergau Passion Play Passionsspiele website.

You can also get ideas for visiting Germany on the Germany Travel official tourism website and on the Bavaria tourism website.

Looking for a guide to the Oberammergau passion play? We recommend The Pilgrim’s Guide to Oberammergau. If you need a guidebook for visiting Germany we recommend the DK Eyewitness Germany Travel Guide or the Lonely Planet Germany Travel Guide.

More articles about Oberammergau and the Passion Play

Tips for seeing the Oberammergau Passion Play
Painted houses and wood carving at Oberammergau – in Bavaria, Germany
Podcast – The Oberammergau Passion Play – listen to the live sounds

More articles about our visit to Altötting from this trip to Bavaria

A pilgrimage to see the Black Madonna at Altötting in Germany
Hotels in Altötting – Review of Hotel Zur Post
Bavarian Lake swimming in the Badesee near Altötting
Delicious Bavarian Food – Wiener Schnitzel and cherries

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Photo Credits: Passion Play photos are copyright of the Oberammergau Passion Play and other photos by Heather Cowper

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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