On our trip to see the Passion Play in Germany, we strolled around town admiring the Oberammergau painted houses or Luftmalerei for which this small Bavarian town is renowned. The famous Oberammergau Passion Play only takes place every 10 years. In the years in between, the town is still a popular place to visit with picturesque, painted Alpine houses with carved balconies fringed with pink and red geraniums.
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Oberammergau wood carving
Oberammergau has also been known for centuries as a centre of skilled wood carving. Farmers needed to find ways to earn extra income through the long hard winters, when the village was under snow.
Wood carvers from Oberammergau were renowned for their skill. Some specialised in crucifixes, others in wooden painted religious figures and crib scenes. Yet others in brightly coloured toys, using locally grown linden and alder wood.
As the industry grew, street traders or Kraxenberger would travel all over Europe selling these carvings from wooden frames or Kraxe on their backs. In the 18th and 19th centuries residents left the village to set up successful retail businesses selling the wood carvings.
If you are interested in visiting the Oberammergau Passion Play 2020 read my article: Tips for seeing the Oberammergau Passion Play
Oberammergau Painted Houses
The Oberammergau painted houses originated from the 18th century. This started when the Oberammergau houses were given painted window surrounds to embellish the simple facades. Later religious and fairy tale scenes became popular.
The term for these painted houses or Luftmalerei originated from one of the earliest local artists ‘Franz Seraph Zwinck’ who lived in the house called Zum Luftl. Franz Seraph Zwinck also designed one of the local parish churches and painted the well known Pilatus house. This house is now used as a craft gallery with wood carving demonstrations and has an attractive small formal garden.
Listen to my Podcast: The Oberammergau Passion Play and visit to Altotting
In the 20th century the religious themes were extended to fairy tales. Some of the Bavarian painted houses are covered with scenes from Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel using the same traditional style.
History of wood carving in Oberammergau
If you’d like to learn more about the history of wood carving in Oberammergau you can visit the small local history museum in the centre of town. Here you’ll find displays of modern and traditional carvings and objects. The craft is very much alive today and you can see demonstrations in locations such as the Pilatus House.
Read more from this trip: A pilgrimage to see the Black Madonna at Altötting in Germany
There are plenty of shops in Oberammergau selling the carved, painted wooden figures and crucifix. Others sell wooden toys and Christmas decorations.
The town is well worth a visit in the summer with plenty of beautiful walks in the surrounding mountains. It’s a good base to see local cultural attractions such as the decorative Royal Palace and gardens at Linderhof and the Benedictine Abbey at Ettal.
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
If you are 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 that’s centrally located in the heart of Oberammergau, with a spa and sauna, a traditional Bavarian bar and upscale restaurant.
Stay at Alpine-style Hotel Maximillian located in the centre of Oberammergau
Landhotel Böld Oberammergau – located by the river Ammer, on the edge of Oberammergau town centre, this 4 star hotel offers contemporary Bavarian decor and scenic views of the Alps.
Stay at the Landhotel Böld in Oberammergau with scenic views of the Ammergauer Alps
Parkhotel Sonnenhof in Oberammergau – A 55 room 4 star Alpine style hotel with spa and indoor swimming pool, that’s on the edge of Oberammergau, just across the river from the old town.
The Parkhotel Sonnenhof Oberammergau offers Alpine-style rooms with private balconies
Oberammergau Passion Play – Visitor Resources
You can also get ideas for visiting Germany on the Germany Travel official tourism website and on the Bavaria tourism website.
Need a guide book for the Oberammergau Passion Play? We recommend A Pilgrim’s Guide to Oberammergau
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
An introduction to the Oberammergau Passion Play
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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Sr Mary Loretta
Saturday 22nd of October 2022
I bought table coverings with embroidery in Oberammergau during the passion play. It was a store on the main street I think with clothes inside and on the rack outside there was several table coverings with embroidery and different styles for different seasons and Christmas etc. I will show you a picture of it if you tell me where to send it to . they were twenty euros down to 7.50 e . My mom really loved it I wish I got more for her. I don’t remember the store it was on the main street. Is there a way you could help me find it again. Thank you I do hope to go back to Oberammergau one day but in the meantime maybe you could help me locate these coverings table coverings they were not largejust small squares that could Cover a round table it was decorative looking thank you
Heather Cowper
Wednesday 26th of October 2022
@ Sr Mary Loretta It's been some years since I was in Oberammergau so not sure I can help. However, I find that Google Maps is often useful in locating shops or places you have visited, so perhaps you can locate the store that way.
KELLY O'DONNELL
Wednesday 25th of July 2012
I HAVE SOME LOVELY HAND CARVINGS THAT MY AUNT GOT WHEN SHE WAS STATION OVER SEAS. SHE WAS IN THE USMC FOR 35 YEARS. WHY SHE WAS IN GERMANY FOR ONLY 4 YEARS SHE BROUGHT HOME THIS CARVINGS THEY SAY UNDER THEM W. u. HEINZELLER HGIZSCHMTZEREI, I WOULD LIKE TO NO WHAT THEY ARE WORTH. I'M SICK AND MY TREATMENT IS VERY COSTLY, I HATE T SELL THEM BUT I NEED TE MEDICINE. THANK YOU...KELLY O'DONNELL FROM NC.
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