Once again in 2020, a small hamlet in the Bavarian Alps of Germany will perform a play about the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. The Oberammergau Passion Play isn’t just any play. It’s a five-hour outdoor musical extravaganza that requires 2,000 townspeople as actors, musicians, and technicians. And it’s only offered one season every ten years. During the next performance season in 2020, more than 750,000 people are expected to attend the play during its run from May through October 4.

History of the Oberammergau Passion Play

It was the year 1633 AD and Europe was in the midst of the deadly Thirty Years War. In addition, the Black Plague was sweeping across the continent. The villagers of Oberammergau prayed to God that if their town was spared, they would perform the Passion of Christ every ten years. True to their word, the first play took place in 1634 on a stage built in the cemetery of plague victims. Amazingly, the town has fulfilled their vow 41 times over the last 383 years. The 2020 season will be the 42nd season of the Oberammergau Passion Play.

It takes 2,000 of the 5,100 Oberammergau residents to put on the grand production and it’s considered an honor to participate. To be true to its roots, there is a special play law that requires all actors, musicians, choir members, firemen, and even ushers to be born in Oberammergau or have lived there for 20 years. In spring of 2019, the actors’ names for the 120 larger and smaller speaking parts will be announced. Rehearsals will start in the fall of 2019 and continue for ten months. There is also a traditional “Beard and Hair Edict” that villagers who are in the play let their hair and men’s beards grow after Ash Wednesday.

The Performance

The play recounts the story of Jesus of Nazareth from the time he triumphantly reenters Jerusalem, through his suffering, death, and resurrection. The Oberammergau Passion Play is the world’s largest amateur dramatic performance and the most famous Passion Play in the world.

The stage is a 4,800-seat open-air amphitheater with an unforgettable backdrop of majestic mountains. The play is performed five days a week with the first act beginning at 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm. There is a dinner break and the story continues from 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm. The play is performed in Bavarian German, although the recognizable story is easy to follow in any language and a written translation is available.

The intrigue of the amateur actors’ dramatic skill, the moving musical score and choir voices, along with theatrical sets and elaborate costumes appeal to those without religious backgrounds, as well as practicing Christians.

The Town of Oberammergau

The quaint town is nestled in a high alpine valley, surrounded by picturesque meadows and magnificent mountains. It is known for its lineage of woodcarving and shops are filled with hand-carved cuckoo clocks, wooden toys, and unique gifts. To see a collection of 19th-century costumes and wooden toys, visit the Oberammergau Museum.

Be sure to walk along Ettaler Street where many of the buildings and homes are decorated with biblically-themed murals called Luftlmalerei on the external walls. You’ll want to visit Pilatushaus, the masterpiece of Franz Seraph Zwinck, who invented the fresco painting style of the Luftlmalerei. The home showcases local artists, woodcarvers, and potters at work and you can purchase handmade art.

Another highlight not to miss is King Ludwig II’s Linderhof Castle, 15 minutes from Oberammergau. It’s the smallest of his three fairytale royal palaces, inspired by the opulent Versailles in France, complete with a Hall of Mirrors. The palace is surrounded by formal gardens and fountains. Beyond those, 125 acres of landscape gardens featuring several buildings reminiscent of scenes in Wagner’s operas. Crazy King Ludwig II was a peculiar man and his favorite castle is absolutely worth a visit.

Also nearby is Ettal Abbey, which is a working Benedictine monastery and boarding school that runs their own brewery, distillery, bookstore and art publishing house.

The 2020 Oberammergau Passion Play is a once in a decade opportunity. It’s said that there are 10 requests for every ticket available, so you need to plan now to see the 2020 production. For group or individual travel and ticket arrangements, contact Covington’s expert vacation advisors.