Oberammergau Passion Play

This may be the world’s most famous play… that you have never heard of!

The 2010 Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, is a once-a-decade event that takes over, consumes, and essentially overwhelms the entire town of Oberammergau. Once every 10 years, more than half of this Bavarian village’s 5,000 inhabitants take part as actors in the world-famous Oberammergau Passion Play.

Stage of the Oberammergau Passion Play

The local residents join together with director Christian Stückl (manager of Munich’s renowned Volkstheater), stage designer Stefan Hageneier, and music directors Markus Zwink and Michael Bocklet to stage this solemn and meticulous play depicting the suffering and death of Jesus the Nazarene. The plot has not changed in structure since the first performance in 1634; it begins with Christ’s entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, and winds up with a dramatic Crucifixion scene.

Scene from the Oberammergau Passion Play

This highly emotional play is expected to be watched by more than 500,000 people between May and October 2010, over a series of 102 performances. This is the 41st performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play itself – it’s always performed once a decade, and has been since 1634.

Why Oberammergau, you may ask?

The answer can be traced back to one of several outbreaks of the bubonic plague that struck Europe in medieval times. When faced with the horror of the disease in 1633, the villagers of Oberammergau vowed to perform a Passion Play both the next year and every 10 years thereafter, should they be spared from the disease.

Houses in Oberammergau

In 1634 they kept their promise and the Oberammergau Passion Play was born. Only twice has the Passion Play not taken place (due to political reasons in 1770 and World War II in 1940). Nowadays it is a permanent feature, held the last year in each decade here in Oberammergau.

How is the play organized?

As you would expect from an event organized in Germany, no detail is left to chance in the planning of the Passion Play! The cast, who must be born in Oberammergau or have resided here for at least 20 years, are chosen a full year in advance of the first play (mainly because the men must grow out their hair and facial hair to effectively depict their characters).

Where can I find tickets to the Oberammergau Passion Play?

Ah, we thought you’d never ask!

It is very, very difficult to book tickets. The Passion Play ticket policy requires that all tickets for non-German residents are reserved by tour operators and sold as part of tour packages. That’s where we can help. We at Viator have searched hard to source the best-value package and are delighted to present our 3-Day Oberammergau Passion Play tour from Munich.

The tour – which includes train travel from Munich, a choice of two accommodation options and two “category two” tickets for the Passion Play – is ideal for people who want to see the Passion Play without being restricted to a specific tour itinerary. In other words, it’s perfect if you are holidaying in central Europe next summer and are desperate to witness this unique event, but want a degree of flexibility and independence on the way.

Be warned: all tickets must be returned to the Passion Play office a full 3 months prior to every performance date, so book now to guarantee your seat at Oberammergau 2010!

-Viator Travel Team

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