The Oberammergau Passion Play tradition started in 1633 – almost 400 years ago! – and typically takes place every ten years (1990, 2000, 2010…) in fulfilment of a promise made by Oberammergau’s villagers to perform the play as long as there were no additional plague deaths.
The 42nd Oberammergau Passion Play was postponed from 2020 to 2022. It will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 14th through October 2nd. Tickets for a typical decennium year go quickly. If you have your sights on a specific date or a weekend, I would recommend securing the tickets as soon as possible.
The Passion Play’s history is fascinating and the town has an exhibit within the theater that chronicles the last 400 years’ artistic, religious, and political influences on the play. There is also a museum devoted to local history and craftsmanship near the town square only three blocks away. The Oberammergau Passion Play is a living piece of art, and the town takes it very seriously. Only residents of the town make up the entire approximately 2,100-person cast, and most are technically amateurs, although the performance feels far from amateur (read more here). It’s no wonder this experience is on so many people’s bucket lists.
The picturesque town of Oberammergau is located at the foothills of the Alps in Bavaria, Germany. Its buildings are adorned with Lüftlmalerei, a mural art form, and the shops are filled with impressive wood carvings. Ettal Abbey and Linderhof Castle are both close by, as well as ample hiking and climbing routes. – and King Ludwig II’s larger castles, including the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle, are only about 45 minutes away. The Munich International Airport (MUC) is the closest large airport (~1.5 hour drive). You can drive or take the train to get to Oberammergau.
What to expect:
Reservations: First and foremost, please be sure to get your information, and especially your tickets, from the official website: https://www.passionsspiele-oberammergau.de/en. Resellers buy tickets and sell them at incredible mark-ups. They also tend to announce that the play is sold out when there are still tickets available if you buy direct. By buying direct you can pick your section and seats. You may also want to purchase your whole package (referred to on the site as “arrangements”), which includes lodging and dinner, from the official website. Oberammergau and the surrounding villages fill up during the Passion Play season, and it can be difficult to find reservations, so the arrangements are handy in taking the guess-work out of the equation. Even if you do not do an arrangement through the theater, do plan your dinner in advance, as everyone in the play takes a break for dinner at the same time and restaurants are full. If you are coming by car, you will also need to reserve a parking ticket.
Day of Play: The Oberammergau Passion Play is five hours, performed in two sessions with a dinner break. It is an open-air theater, so dress for the weather, but remember that the sun will set during the second half, so bring layers. There is now a rollable rain cover, but the first few rows can experience direct sun on a hot day.
The Oberammergau Passion Play is a dramatic, impressive work of theater. Moreover, it’s an incredible commitment by this small town to keep it going decade after decade.
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