Once every ten years, a charming village in the heart of the Bavarian Alps holds an event that draws eager crowds from across the world. Bringing together a cast and crew of more than 2,000 locals, Oberammergau's legendary passion play tells the story of the life and death of Jesus Christ.
In 2030, experience this 400-year-old tradition on an immersive tour with Great Rail Journeys. Our expertly-crafted itineraries showcase the iconic sights, history, culture and flavors of each destination. From wandering Oberammergau's charming streets dotted with frescoed houses to watching the moving performance of Christ's passion, join us for a once-in-a-lifetime journey into the Bavarian Alps.
In the 17th century, villagers in Oberammergau hoping to escape the Black Death made a vow to perform a passion play - a reenactment of the life and death of Jesus Christ - every ten years. Today, the tradition is more than 400 years old, bringing thousands of visitors from across the world to this tiny German village. Over the course of five hours, a cast and crew comprising nearly half of the village's population perform a reenactment of Christ's suffering, the tragedy of his death and the promise of new life. Experience this moving performance on an escorted tour in 2030.
Experience the centuries-old reenactment of the life and death of Christ in Oberammergau, a beautiful village in the heart of the Bavarian Alps. From the covered seats of the purpose-built Passion Play Theater, enjoy a captivating performance depicting this story of hope and redemption, bringing together more than 2,000 village residents as...
In the 17th century, the infamous Black Death came to Oberammergau. As the town's population dwindled, locals vowed to reenact the life and death of Jesus Christ every ten years, hoping to be spared from the deadly disease. Tradition tells us the death rate slowed to a halt, and the following year, the townsfolk performed the first play. Believing they had witnessed a miracle, the villagers have held up their end of the pledge ever since.
2030 will mark the 43rd Oberammergau Passion Play, with performances taking place from May to October. Every ten years, more than 500,000 visitors descend on the village, the majority coming from abroad for a taste of one of the most renowned cultural events in history. In attendance at the last Passion Play in 2022 were celebrated actor and director Sir Ian McKellen, the Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba and the Bavarian Prime Minister Dr Markus Söder.
Nestled along the Ammer River, the picturesque town of Oberammergau is an enchanting destination. Beyond the decennial Passion Play, the town is famous for its centuries-old tradition of woodcarving and painted buildings depicting fairytales like Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood. It's also an excellent place to sample hearty Bavarian dishes or take part in the local tradition of coffee and cake (Kaffee und Kuchen).
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