Today features the highlight of our tour: the magnificent
Oberammergau Passion Play. Divided into two halves, this behemoth
of a production showcases the final days of Jesus Christ's life,
chronicling his Passion in a performance which features over 2,000
villagers as both cast, crew and members of the live choir and
orchestra.
These villages take charge of designing the stunning set pieces,
creating the marvellous backdrops and running the immense
organisation required for such an enormous undertaking. The
costumes are a wonder to see, as is the superb acting and genuine
cast, all of whom are residents of Oberammergau. The play even
featured in its latest iteration live animals including hens, cows
and goats.
The story behind the Passion Play is worth noting - during the
time of the bubonic plague in the 17th century, the people of
Oberammergau made a vow to God, declaring that if he saved the town
from the plague, they would produce a theatrical production for him
every ten years celebrating the sacrifice of his son Jesus. The
people of Oberammergau were spared from the horror of the disease
and consequently began a tradition which would last up until today.
This makes the Oberammergau Passion Play the most famous and the
oldest across the world, having run continuously since its
inception (apart from a single break due to the beginning of World
War II).
Unsurprisingly, the play is of massive importance for the
village, due much in part to the fact that it is only performed
once every ten years, adding a huge sense of gravitas to each
showing. Our top tier tickets grant us some of the best seats in
the house. We enjoy a special Passion Play dinner during the two
hour break.
Includes