Oberammergau
The Passion Play
Gripped by war, poverty and plague, the villagers of Oberammergau, in Bavaria, southern Germany vowed to put on a 'passion play' every ten years.
That was back in 1633. They survived, and performed the first Oberammergau Passion Play in 1634. Ever since, their descendants have carried out that pledge.
For the past four centuries the tradition has continued, every ten years. Only villagers have been allowed to take part. And that is what will happen yet again in 2010, from 15th May until 3rd October.
They devote a year of their lives to re-enacting the life, death and resurrection of Christ. In real life for instance Jesus is a psychologist and Mary Magdalene works as a flight attendant.
By taking on their roles in the Passion Play, they are fulfilling the promise to God made by their ancestors, celebrating their faith and sharing it with the world as Oberammergauers have for some 375 years.
About half the inhabitants of Oberammergau take part in the play. This means that over 2,000 villagers will bring the story of Jesus of Nazareth to life for the audiences that flock in from around the world.
The play starts with Jesus entering Jerusalem, continues with his death on the cross and finishes with the resurrection. As ever, this is an extraordinary community enterprise.
2010 sees a new production directed by Christian Stückl, director at Munich's noted Volkstheater He is supported by the artistic team that along with him staged the 2000 Passion Play: all from Oberammergau. The play starts at 2.30pm and, including a three-hour interval, ends at 10.30pm.
The 102 performances take place between May 15 and October 3, 2010
The Village of Oberammergau
Just 62 miles to the south of Munich is the village of Oberammergau, set in the lush meadows and foothills of the Bavarian Alps. The village has grown up alongside the River Ammer and today is home to some 5,300 inhabitants.
It is a pretty village, with leafy parks and typical Bavarian houses - their 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. These Lüftlmalerei, or frescoes, are usually religious themes or scenes from fairytales.
Oberammergau is famous for its woodcarvers and its Passion Play, performed every 10 years in the purpose-built theatre. There are regular guided tours of the theatre. Also worth a visit are the Pilatushaus to see craftsmen at work and the museum with its fine examples of folk art and woodcarvings and unique collection of Hinterglasbildern - paintings on the back of glass.
The villagers are passionate about music and theatre; apart from folk groups, the village also boasts a brass band and orchestra as well as a choral and music society
Apart from being rich in art, culture and tradition, Oberammergau also has the friendliest of people and a great reputation for hospitality
The Ammergau Alps
Thousands of visitors flock to Oberammergau every 10 years to see the village's famous Passion Play.However, even when the Play is not being performed there is plenty to see and do in this pretty village and the surrounding Ammergau region.
Oberammergau is situated in Bavaria, in the south of Germany, near to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, famous for its winter sports attractions such as skiing or ski jumping, with the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain, and the Austrian border a few kilometres away.
Close to Oberammergau are a number of enchanting lakes, like the Staffelsee or Kochelsee, set amidst the beautiful Bavarian scenery
There is also the church of Wies (Wieskirche) in Steingaden, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The former abbey of the Steingaden Premonstratensians was founded in the 12th century. The somewhat plain exterior of the church does not prepare the visitor for the splendour and magnificence of the rich and shimmering interior.
Also high on the list of places to visit are Ettal and Linderhof Palace and for sheer relaxation one of the region's spas.
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