The Oberammergau Passion Play

Posted - June 20, 2018

This inspiring play, which draws visitors from around the world, is based on the Bible’s account of the final days of Jesus Christ.
  
The story of the play began in 1633, at which time the Oberammergau villagers promised to perform the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ every 10^th year, in so far as no one was to die of the ravaging bubonic plague anymore. The villagers were answered by God, and therefore in 1634 the first Passion Play took place. This promise has been kept until today, with performances being held from mid-May to early October.
  
The five-hour production involves more that 2,000 performers, musicians and stage technicians, all residents of the village, who bring the story of Jesus of Nazareth to the impressive open-air stage of the Passion Play Theatre. Almost half of Oberammergau’s population will devotedly act out the story of the man whose tidings for more than 2000 years have brought hope and power of life to an incredible number of people.
  
In 2020, the 42nd Passion Play will be performed, and already tickets for the event are in high demand. Spoken dramatic text, music and songs are performed in German, with a printed translation of the script available in English. In addition, visitors can enjoy backstage tours of the Passion Play Theater throughout the year.
  
AAA Travel has arranged to purchase tickets for this momentous event in conjunction with a AAA Member Choice Vacations guided tour through beautiful regions of Austria, Bavaria and Switzerland.
  
Bavaria is a particularly lovely region of Germany, with abundant forests and mountain peaks, small medieval towns and vibrant cities such as Munich, the regional capital. A highlight of Bavaria is Neuschwanstein Castle, an elaborate palace that was intended to be the home of Ludwig II of Bavaria, though he reportedly only spent 11 nights there. Today, the castle draws thousands of visitors each year. In Switzerland’s majestic Alps, one of the highlights is a scenic train journey aboard the Glacier Express, which winds sinuously through tunnels and across bridges, affording lovely panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, rivers, alpine pastures and charming villages.