Oberammergau Passion Play and Munich 2030

Oberammergau Passion Play - Passionstheater Oberammergau- Foto Kienberger © Copyright by Gemeinde Oberammergau
Oberammergau, Germany
View towards Viktualienmarkt, Church of the Holy Spirit in Munich ©DZT, Saskia Wehler Photography, GNTB
Benedictine Abbey Ettal with park ©DZT, Jens Wegener, GNTB
Ettal from above, Bavaria © Ammergauer Alpen GmbH, Oberammergau Tourismus. Photo Birgit Pössinger
Oberammergau ©Copyright by Gemeinde Oberammergau
View from the Müllnersteg on the Salzburg old town with fortress Hohensalzburg ©Tourismus Salzburg GmbH, Photographer Guenter Breitegger

5, 7 or 8 day tour

Price on request

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Every 10 years, in the village of Oberammergau in Southern Germany (Bavaria), the Passion Play is traditionally held. The 43^rd Oberammergau Passion Play will be performed again in the summer of 2030.

History of the Obergammergau Passion Play

In 1633, when the small Bavarian village of Oberammergau was in the grip of the plague, its inhabitants vowed that if they were spared, they would in future perform every ten years a Passion Play depicting Christ’s bitter suffering.

In 1634 the villagers fulfilled their solemn promise for the first time, and for hundreds of years since then, despite dangers and threats, they have loyally kept their vow. Pilgrims from all over the world are captivated by the Play, which is not only a testimony of religious faith but also an outstanding cultural event. Read moreClose

Although the text and music have been adapted many times over the years, the traditional concept has remained intact. With inner conviction the amateur actors, all local people, represent time and again the life and sufferings of Our Lord.

The last major changes to the text of the Passion Play were made between 1850 and 1860 by
the parish priest of Oberammergau, Alois Daisenberger, building on the work of Father Othmar Weis. The structure of the Play, with its living pictures from the Old Testament and acted scenes from the New Testament, has been retained to this day.

The music for the Play was composed in the early 19th century by the Oberammergau school teacher, Rochus Dedler. Revised and extended in 1950 by Professor Eugen Papst, it employs a large choir and orchestra and frames the entire spectacle.

The Play shows the story of Christ’s Passion, beginning with the entry into Jerusalem and ending with the Resurrection and Transfiguration.

The Play

Over 2000 participants bring the story of Jesus of Nazareth in a 5 hour presentation on an impressive stage in a theatre capable of accommodating several thousand spectators. Although the text and music have been adapted many times over the years, the traditional concept has remained intact and the play is in German (English translation was a manual in 2022- not known yet for 2030???). The actors are all villagers of Oberammergau who prepare for their roles for years in order to give an authentic portrayal of the last days in the life of Jesus.

The performance usually takes place during the afternoon and evening with a break for dinner. Lunch arrangements and transport around the village are included in the package, making the whole day a relaxing as well as an uplifting experience.

The Theatre

The Passion Play theatre is now a listed building and the stage has been remodelled and brought in line with state-of-the-art technology with some 4700 seats in the auditorium which is covered by an innovative wrought-iron lattice roof that ensures good views from every one of the tiered row seats offering a magnificent mountain background. There is under-floor heating, modern toilet facilities and is barrier-free.

Tour Package for individuals and groups

Join us in 2030 for 2 nights in Munich and 2 nights in Oberammergau with Passion Play Tickets. Take a fascinating tour of Munich, see the former Olympic Park, King Ludwig’s Nymphenburg Palace and the old city highlights. Travel through the Bavarian countryside, enjoy a lake cruise, visit Ettal Abbey and the fairytale Linderhof Palace. Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see the world famous and powerful Oberammergau Passion Play performance. Next day return to Munich or perhaps add an extra 3 nights stay in Salzburg (in Austria) or further explore Munich for 2-nights.

Dates

May - October 2030 (dates to be confirmed)

Suggested 5 day itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Munich

On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your 4* hotel in Munich for the next 2 nights with bed and breakfast included.

Day 2

Munich Sightseeing and afternoon at leisure

After breakfast and accompanied by a local guide, enjoy a sightseeing bus tour of Munich’s top sights including the Olympic Park and the gardens of King Ludwig’s fairytale Royal Nymphenburg Palace. See and hear stories of the Kongisplatz, the English Garden many of Munich’s museums and galleries and iconic landmarks. After the bus tour, enjoy a walking tour of the old city centre including views of the Residenz, Opera House, Marienplatz, the Rathaus with it’s famous clock, and a visit of either St. Peter’s Church or the Frauenkirche, Munich’s Cathedral.

The rest of the day is free to explore Munich old town at your leisure before returning to the hotel. Munich has a wide variety of churches offering daily and Sunday masses. The city’s most prominent Catholic cathedrals and historic parishes host morning and evening services in German, as well as English speaking masses and traditional Latin rites for visitors and expats.

Suggested optional visit: The Residenz – the largest city palace in Germany is located in central Munich and was originally built as a fortress but became the official residence of the Bavarian Royals for over 400 years with grand guest rooms, courtyards, a concert hall and stables. This is now open as a museum and you can admire the frescoes, antique collections and luxurious interiors. The complex of buildings contains ten courtyards and displays 130 rooms. Entrance fee is not included (pay locally) and tours are self-guided.

Day 3

Travel to Oberammergau – Lake Cruise, Ettal Abbey and a Fairytale Palace

Depart Munich after breakfast, by coach, travelling through the Bavarian countryside to Oberammergau. Enroute we will have leisurely one (1) hour cruise from Starnberg to Tutzing on the picturesque Starnberger Lake.

We continue by coach to the village of Ettal for some free time and lunch (not included). Optional visit for prayer or contemplation maybe possible at the spectacular Ettal Abbey, founded in 1330 and restored in the Baroque style in the 18th century. The monastic buildings include a basilica, monastery, school, restaurant, shop and brewery.

In the afternoon we will visit the amazing fairytale Palace of Linderhof including an official palace guided tour. Renovated in the style of a 19th century French chateau by the eccentric King Ludwig II, this spectacular Baroque palace is also known as ‘Little Versailles’. The interior features lavish furnishings and decor and the spectacular gardens offer fountains, lawns and symmetric flower arrangements.

After the visit we will continue to the Oberammergau region and check in at our hotel for the next 2 nights. Dinner in the hotel is included this evening.

Day 4

Oberammergau Passion Play Day

After breakfast, we will have a full day in Oberammergau with an optional morning visit to the Passion Play Theatre for an introduction talk by one of the cast members to learn about the production of the Passion Play. After, there will be free time to explore this picturesque village with the beautifully painted houses, shops and buildings, as well as the Rococo church and many wood-carving shops.

Lunch will be included in one of the local restaurants before we take our seats for the first half of the Passion Play performance which is followed by a 3-hour interval during which time we will enjoy a 3-course dinner with drinks before the second half commences.

At the end of the play, which is around 10.30pm, we return to the hotel (either on foot or private transfer).

Day 5

Transfer to Munich Airport and Excursion to Freising

After breakfast we will depart the hotel in Oberammergau and drive north to Munich Airport for check-in and flight home. Enroute, we will make an optional drop-off in Munich for those not wishing to go to the airport.

For those with later or next day early flights, the coach will make an optional round trip excursion to the nearby picturesque town of Freising, one of the oldest in Bavaria and famous for its Romanesque Cathedral, returning to the airport or your airport hotel later in the day.

Optional extra - 3-night Salzburg or 2-night Munich

Why not add a 3-night stay in Salzburg or a 2-night stay in Munich?

A great opportunity to visit Salzburg, Austria, home to the Sound of Music and Mozart? The additional 3-night package would include the following:

Transfer from Oberammergau to Salzburg (Day 5)
En-route visit of the Benediktbeurn Monastery
3 nights bed and breakfast in 4* central hotel (Salzburg)
Guided city tour and free time
Shared transfer to Munich or Munich Airport (Day 8)

If your choice is an additional 2-night stay in Munich, this would include the following:

Transfer from Oberammergau to Munich (included in the main Passion Play package above Day 5)
2 nights bed and breakfast in 4* central hotel (Munich)

The add-on packages will be subject to confirmation at time of booking.

Oberammergau Play Ticket Information (subject to confirmation)

The Passion Play stages around 100 Performances from middle May to early October 2030. We expect there will be five performances per week, taking place on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Theatre is normally closed on Monday and Wednesday.

Expected Performance times:

May to Mid-August Part one 2.30pm to 5pm – Pause for dinner – Part two 8pm to 10.30pm

Mid-August to October Part one 1:30pm to 4pm – Pause for dinner – Part two 7pm to 9pm

Greatdays reserve premium Category 1 and Category 2 official tickets directly with the official Passion Play Office. Our tickets include two nights in a four (4) star hotel accommodation with two breakfasts and one dinner in the Oberammergau region. If your allocated hotel is not in central Oberammergau village then your ticket will include FREE local transfers to and from Oberammergau village. Your Passion Play ticket will also include and additional lunch and dinner on the performance day in the Oberammergau village or local area.

NOTE: all hotel accommodation is allocated exclusively by the official Passion Play ticket office and not by your tour operator or travel agent.