Passion Play 2010 in Oberammergau
The Passion Play in Oberammergau is held every 10 years. It's one of the most impressive events you can attend. Don't miss this once-every-ten-years opportunity.
Almost 400 years ago, the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) brought death, fighting, poverty, hunger and disease to Central Europe. Most frightening of all was the plague that killed hundreds thousands of persons.
The villagers of Oberammergau vowed to perform the Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ every ten years, if they would survive. Miraculously, the disease halted and starting in 1634, they have fulfilled their promise and performed the passion play ever since.
2010 is the 41st version the world's most famous Passion Play. Over 2,000 villagers will bring the story of Jesus of Nazareth to life (in German) over a hundred times between May and October. Each show lasts five hours: the first act is performed in the afternoon and the second part in the evening after a three hour break that you can use to have dinner.
The play starts with Jesus entering Jerusalem, continues up to his death on the cross and finishes with his resurrection.
Oberammergau is approximately 75 km south of Munich, with easy transfers by road or rail. This pretty village in the outskirts of the Alps is also famous for woodcarvings and typical Bavarian houses with carved wooden balconies and gardens bright with summer flowers.
Many of the buildings are noted for their very special and ornately painted exteriors, some of them dating back to the 18th century.
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