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If a European vacation is on your radar, consider timing your travels to see a Passion Play, the dramatic re-enactment of the final days of Jesus. Every ten years, a tiny village in Bavaria stages a magnificent version known as the Oberammergau Passion Play. In 2022, over half a million people will see the awe-inspiring production.
The Oberammergau Passion Play
Background
The history of the Oberammergau Passion Play dates back almost 400 years to a time of great suffering in Central Europe. The Thirty Years War and widespread famines were devastating the region when the plague broke out.
Oberammergau residents tried to seal themselves off from the rest of the world to avoid the disease. Their efforts failed, and 83 people perished in three weeks, affecting nearly every family. The desperate villagers asked God to cure their town, promising in return to perform a Passion Play recurrently. Tradition holds that no one else died from the plague, and in 1634, the first play was staged over the graves of the victims of the epidemic.
The play was performed annually for the first six years and every ten years since. Two thousand of the village's 5,000 residents serve as actors, musicians, and stagehands. By law, only people born in Oberammergau, those married to a local for at least ten years, or people who have resided there for 20 years can participate. Two actors are cast for each of the 21 leading roles, and performers spend two years preparing for their parts.
The Passion Play in 2022
The production will feature as many as 900 people on stage at one time, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testament. Though the play is in German, translation texts are available. With or without the translation, spectators will have no problem following along.
The play runs from May through October, with shows every day except Mondays and Wednesdays. It begins at 2:30 pm and ends at 10:30 pm, with a three-hour intermission. The modern, open-air theater accommodates 4270 people in comfortable, covered seating. Snow-capped mountains and green valleys serve as a backdrop.
The Oberammergau Passion Play was postponed from 2020 to 2021 due to Coronavirus. Tickets for the 100 or so performances will be in high demand, as the event sold out in 2010.
Itineraries to Consider
Bavaria
Oberammergau is a charming town in southern Bavaria, close to Switzerland, Austria, and Italy, so there are many opportunities for travel in the region.
Oberammergau itself merits a visit, even without the draw of the Passion Play. The buildings in town feature beautifully painted façades, called Lüftlmalerei, which depict scenes from the Bible, fairy tales, and everyday peasant life. The local parish church contains stunning frescoes by Matthew Guenther, and the town is renowned for its woodcarvers.
Five miles from Obergammerau, Benedictine Ettal Abbey's community of 50 monks operates a historic brewery, a hotel, and an art publishing house, among other ventures on its castle-like grounds.
The Bavarian Alps are home to a symphony of experiences that delight lovers of history, nature, and the arts. You could easily spend a week exploring majestic castles, colorful towns, and beautiful natural areas. Or, you could set off in nearly any direction to explore another facet of the region. Here are a few ideas:
Treasures of Italy
Italy tops the list of destinations for many people and delights nearly all types of travelers. There are myriad ways to encounter Italy: through its history, art, sacred sites, gorgeous landscapes, and regional wines and cuisine.
Set off from Oberammergau and travel through the impressive Dolomites to the city of Venice. Visit the lavish Doges' Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and St Mark's Basilica. Make time to meander along the narrow, winding streets and take that gondola ride!
Head to Florence for a feast of art and architecture, beginning with the Academy of Fine Arts and Michelangelo's David. Tour the magnificent Duomo, take in sculpture-studded Signora Square, and visit famous Santa Croce Square.
Enjoy the wonders of Tuscany, then head south to wander through the ruins of Rome and the treasures of the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica.
Stunning Switzerland
With its stunning mountainous landscapes, sparkling lakes, and rich cultural history, Switzerland delights all visitors. Travel along Lake Zürich to the high Alps, where the tiny country Liechtenstein sits on the banks of the Rhine. Discover the Engadine Valley, where the famous resort St. Moritz holds court in one of the world's most beautiful settings.
Board a mountain train from Täsch to car-free Zermatt, a picturesque cluster of rustic chalets beneath the Matterhorn. Marvel at Lake Como, Lake Lugano, and stunning Lake Geneva. Spend time at a working farm and enjoy Switzerland's cities: historic Bern, cultural Lucerne, and historic-meets-modern Zürich.
River Cruise
Cruise along the peaceful Danube River through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany, and discover some of Central Europe's most splendid capitals and charming towns along the way. Or set off on a journey along the Rhine River that takes you to Germany, Holland, France, and Switzerland!
The Oberammergau Passion Play would be a truly memorable highlight of your next European vacation. Email us at info@grandjourneystravel.com to learn more.
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