What is Oberammergau Passion Play?

The Oberammergau Passion Play is performed in an open-air stage in the Bavarian town of Oberammergau, Germany. The Passion Play is performed every 10 years. This will be the 42nd production of the world renowned play. The next time you can see it will be May through October 2020. Tickets to the play are very limited. Don’t miss out, start planning now! Reserve space today with Quay Cruise.

Where is Oberammergau?

Oberammergau is a town located approximately 60 miles from Munich. The town is beautiful, surrounded by majestic mountains and picturesque meadows. The village is known for woodcarving - there are dozens of woodcarver shops. The town is also famous for its Bavarian themes painted along sides of many of the homes and buildings.

History of the Passion Play

What made the town famous was its performance of the Passion of Christ every decade. It is believed that the Passion Play has been held every 10 years since 1634. A play of life and death, promised in a moment of mortal threat, and so began the history of the Oberammergau Passion Play in 1633. During that time, the Black Plague was sweeping through Europe. The villagers of Oberammergau vowed that if their town was spared, they would perform the Passion of Christ every 10 years. The town was spared, and it is amazing that they have been honoring this pledge from generation to generation.

The Passion Play performance follows Christ from His triumphant entry into Jerusalem through His Trial, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension.

Interesting Facts About the Oberammergau Passion Play

• To be in the play, you must be a resident of Oberammergau.
• Over 2,000 citizens are involved including acting, singing, musicians and technical support.
• There are 124 speaking roles, a 65-member orchestra, 48 person chorus and hundreds of people involved in the back end including stagehands, seamstresses, fire officers, auditorium attendants and more.
• Men grow out their hair and beards to make the look authentic to the time. Costumes are hand made.
• The play is held from May through to late September or early October. During these months the play is performed five days per week in an open-air theatre which seats about 4,700 people. The performance runs from 2:30pm to 5:00pm. There is then a dinner break, and the play resumes from 8:00pm to 10:30pm.
• The play is performed in German but it doesn’t seem to stop people from all over the world, including those that are not of religious backgrounds, that are intrigued by the way the town comes together to perform this play. It is anticipated over 750,000 will attend in 2020.

The Passion Play theatre is open and the background of the mountains makes it an unforgettable scene.

The shows in 2020 may seem distant, but the excitement and planning is already building for the next production. Demand for tickets is sure to be high and space on trips is limited.

Plenty of companies will offer tickets to the Passion Play, but we only offer the most reputable companies that have been in business for over 50 years.

Avalon Cruises has a number of river cruise departures that will include this incredible ‘bucket list’ experience.

Quay Cruise, your local cruise experts. Phone 0800 782 987, email donna@quaytravel.co.nz, or come visit us at 2/49 Apollo Drive, Mairangi Bay.

Parking available. Expert advice and great coffee!