History of the Oberammergau Passion Play
During the Thirty Years War in the 1600s, the Black Death swept Europe, destroying one-third of its population. Oberammergau remained untouched until 1634 when a villager, returning from a journey, unknowingly brought the dreaded plague with him. Almost 100 villagers died and the survivors met in the church and vowed that if the village were spared from further deaths, they would put on a holy play (presentation of the life of Christ) every ten years in which the entire community would participate. There were no more deaths, and the village has kept its pledge.
Throughout the years the widespread fame of the Passion Play and international interest have brought thousands of people from the four corners of the earth to see the performance. The complete sincerity of the Oberammergauers has never dimmed. Their vow is still the most important thing in their lives--even after nearly four hundred years.
The play portrays the Passion of Christ from his entry into Jerusalem through his Resurrection. It presents his suffering in such a monumental way that the devout spectator experiences deep religious involvement, and the skeptical observer cannot refuse to respect the seriousness of what is shown.
Every ten years this traditional performance presents the life of the Savior, who walked and taught among us, suffered, died, and rose again to new life. The play also includes enactments of Old Testament events that relate to the life of Christ in scenes called tableaux vivants. It starts in the afternoon, ends in the evening, with a dinner break in between. Only native born Oberammergauers or spouses that have lived there for twenty years or more are allowed to be in the performance. The village of Oberammergau nearly doubles in size from its 4800 people during the Passion Play. The cast is made up of about 600 actors with a chorus and orchestra of 100. The Passion Play originally was a small performance, played out on a meadow by the villagers and local peasants. Today the Passion Play theater is an open-air stage framed by the magnificent Alpine scenery. Its auditorium is covered and seats almost 5,000 persons.
Come and experience this memorable event along with the beauty of Europe’s monuments, cathedrals, artistic treasures, and ceremonial grandeur. We will feast on her past--unequaled in cultural, economic, and political greatness--and present-day culture, including the best in art, drama, and music.
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