Oberammergau Things to Do

In the summer of 2000, Oberammergau staged its famous Passion Play, which is performed only 1 year out of 10. Surely the world's longest-running show, it began in 1634 when the town's citizens took a vow to give dramatic thanks after they were spared from the devastating plague of 1633.

The town is packed to the gills all summer for this major event. Attracting pilgrims (and tourists) from around the world, the Passion Play depicts the "suffering, death, and rebirth of Jesus Christ." In many ways, it's an authentic recreation of a medieval morality play. Though the theater and production methods are contemporary, the spirit of the play is highly traditional. The whole production is community-based. Locals do all the acting--the competition for the roles of Jesus and Mary can be fierce. Performances last all day, with a break for lunch. Viewing the production can alternate between tedious and highly dramatic--but in most cases, it's fascinating. Where else would you get to witness such a pocket of medievalism in the modern world?

The Passion Play stage won't be empty and un-used until 2010 though. There is opera! After the great success of the opera performances in the Passion Play theater in 2002 and 2003 this musical experience will be continued in 2004. In addition to Giuseppe Verdi´s Nabucco there will also be "Aida" on the schedule.
"Aida": July 9th and 10th and on September 3rd and 4th 2004 and
"Nabucco": August 6th and 7th 2004.

You can book opera tickets online here:
http://www.muenchenticket.de/8JGYvSQIPUhEza.Y/listeVorstellung.jsp?ltr_id=7927

After having lunch in town we continued walking around admiring the beautiful painted buildings when we happened upon the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. It is one of the main churches in Oberammergau and from the outside was very plain looking but inside was just a gem.

The church was built between 1736 and 1749. It was designed by Joseph Schmuzer, an architect and a stucco artist. Inside are beautiful frescoes and sculpture work created by other artists.

Outside of the church was a cemetery with some rather elaborate grave markers – crosses, statues, etc.

Make sure to stop in for a visit when you're in Oberammergau.

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Pilatus Haus is the most beautiful house of Oberammergau. Its name comes from the wonderful fresco on the facade made in 1784. It shows Jusus in front of Pontius Pilate with nice architectures. On the East facade you can see a nice fresco showing the resurrection.

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Luftlmalerei is avery diffused style of wall painting in Baviera. It was born in the XVII century as derivation of the Italian style "trompe oil". A famous exponent of Luftlmalerei was Franz Seraph Zwinck (1748-1792) who live in Oberammergau.

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Oberammergau is probably best known for the Passion play which happens every 10 year and we were lucky to go there in the year when they performed it for the 100th time. It dates back to 1633 when the villagers made a solumn pledge.

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Visiting the museum you will see 350 years of local art in one building. Some of the pieces leave you breathless and you cannot believe the fine detail that went into the pieces. Obviously done with great love and care. Do not miss the crib collection which is absolutely outstanding.

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The Passion stage is one of the largest open air stages in the world. The original text of the play stems from more than one source and has been altered several times in the course of its 350 year history. The staging of the play has changed very little since the 1920's. The impressive massive scenes call for up to 800 actors on stage at the same time.
Only citizens of Oberammergau is allowed to partake as actors.

Less then an hour after leaving Munich (driving our rental) we arrived in Oberammergau. Originally world famous for being the village of woodcarvers it later became known for hosting the Passion Play. The play is about the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ that is performed every ten years (next in 2010).

Many of the buildings in the town had paintings or woodcarvings on them. We stopped for lunch (soup and German hot dogs) at an outdoor café.

Since it was early in the season and not a play year, the town was very empty. Still it was nice to walk around the town and see all the interesting buildings. We bought a few small wood carvings and some glass Christmas ornaments before leaving.

Some people have complained that Oberammergau was/is too touristy. I didn't find that at all. In fact I found it charming. Maybe because it was off season..? Still I'd make a stop here if you're traveling between Munich and the castles.