From May to October 2010, thousands and thousands of people from all walks of life and many religious backgrounds will make the pilgrimage to Oberammergau in the wonderful alpine region of Bavaria in Southern Germany. They will be drawn by the Oberammergau Passion Play, the most famous and visually stunning presentation of Christ’s Passion in the world.
History of the Passion Play
In the early part of the 17th century, the plague was sweeping across Europe, wiping out entire towns. Thinking that they could protect themselves by keeping strangers out, the people of Oberammergau built a circle of fires around their village. No outsiders did approach; but one villager left and later returned, bringing the dreaded disease with him. As the list of victims began to grow, the frightened people came together to pray for God’s grace. They promised that if they were spared, they would enact Christ’s Passion every ten years until the end of time.
Miraculously, the plague stopped. With immense gratitude and thanksgiving, the villagers undertook the first performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play in 1634. Except for the years during the Franco-Prussian War and World War II, the Play has been offered every decade since then, all the while growing and expanding to become an event of unparalleled religious depth and world-wide fame. In 2010, the Play will be performed 102 times, forming the centerpiece of a visit to Europe for nearly a half a million people.
Attendance at the Play is a powerfully inspiring experience, complete with exquisite costuming and a huge choir and orchestra. The performance is offered in two parts—from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. and from 8:00 to 10:30 p.m. It begins with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and ends with His resurrection and transfiguration and includes tableaux vivants from the Old Testament and scenes acted from the New Testament. The cast of more than 2,000 amateur actors is drawn from the local population.
Oberammergau’s modern, specially-constructed Passion Play Theatre is an attraction in itself. Its 4,700 seats are all covered and are arranged in ascending rows so everyone has a good view of the open-air stage. In the background, the grandeur of the Bavarian Alps provides a spectacular natural setting for the Play. Performances take place irrespective of the weather.
The alpine village of Oberammergau is located about 90 minutes to the southeast of Munich in a breathtakingly beautiful region of forests, rolling hills and mountains. Just walking through the village is an exhilarating experience … Lining the winding streets are cozy inns, fine shops and proud, old homes decorated with colorful Lüftlmalerei—historical paintings, often of religious subjects. Oberammergau is noted for its many highly skilled woodcarvers whose wares are displayed in shops and at the local Heimatmuseum, which also houses a collection of exquisite Nativity scenes.
Witte Travel arranged tours featuring the Oberammergau Passion Play in 1980, 1984—for a special 350th anniversary celebration, 1990 and 2000. We are grateful to have the opportunity to offers tours in 2010 that will be built around the phenomenally popular and life-changing experience of attending the Passion Play.
Request a proposal for your group or call us at 800-469-4883
Oberammergau Passion Play Arrangements for Individual Travelers
© Passion Play Theatre image and images of the Passion Play on this site are courtesy of the Community of Oberammergau, Passion Play Office
