Oberammergau Passion Play 2030 and the Rhine Valley – Castles, Cathedrals and Cruises
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Oberammergau Passion Play - Ecce_homo © Copyright by Gemeinde Oberammergau
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Old Bridge and Heidelberg Castle ©Francesco Carovillano, GNTB
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UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley, Castle Katz ©Günther Bayerl, Lookphotos, LOOK Bildagentur der Fotografen, GNTB
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View of Rhine River close to Niederwald Monument - Rudesheim
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©Copyright by Gemeinde Oberammergau
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Overlooking Mainz Cathedral ©DZT, Christof Herdt, GNTB
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Oberammergau, Bavaria © www.zugspitz-region Fotograf Wolfgang Ehn
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Every 10 years, in the village of Oberammergau in Southern Germany (Bavaria), the Passion Play is traditionally held. The 43rd 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 more
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.
Dates
May - October 2030 (dates to be confirmed)
Suggested Itinerary by Coach
Day 1
Depart the UK
Take the short sea crossing over to France and drive over the border into Belgium making an overnight stop in the Namur area. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Day 2
Travel to Oberammergau
Depart after breakfast and continue the journey through Belgium and into Germany, driving south into Bavaria and our hotel which will be based in the Oberammergau region. After check-in there may be time to relax and unwind before having dinner in the hotel this evening.
Day 3
Oberammergau Passion Play Day
After breakfast, we will have a full day in Oberammergau. In the morning there will be the option to visit the Passion Play theatre for an introduction talk by one of the cast members to learn about the production of the Passion Play. After this, 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 10.00pm, we return to the hotel.
Day 4
Speyer Cathedral / Travel to the Rhine Valley
Depart after breakfast, driving north through Germany and to Speyer, a small city with a medieval old town and renowned for its food and wine. Enjoy some free time and lunch before making a visit and tour of the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Stephen (Speyerer Dom), a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest surviving Romanesque church in the world. It is the final resting place of eight Holy Roman Emperors and German kings and mass is celebrated every day of the week.
After the visit we will continue to the Rüdesheim area for the next 4 nights. After check-in, there may be time to explore the surroundings before having dinner in the hotel this evening.
Day 5
At leisure / Rhine River Cruise (drivers rest day)
Today is a free day to relax and enjoy the hotel and surroundings of Rüdesheim, a popular riverside town. Take a stroll along the famous Drosselgasse, a lively, narrow cobbled street with bars, cafes and restaurants. Maybe make a visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Museum to see and hear some remarkable musical instruments (entrance not included).
A round-trip river cruise on the Rhine has been included today which will sail past castles and vineyards and the famous Loreley Rock located in the middle of the river.
Return to the hotel for dinner and evening at leisure.
Day 6
Historic Mainz, Cathedral, Eberbach Abbey and Winetasting
After breakfast, drive to Mainz for a guided walking tour of the historic old town with its half-timbered houses, winding alleyways and picturesque squares before making a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the world-famous 42-line Bible and historic printing press. From here we will make a guided tour of the imperial St. Martin’s Cathedral (Mainzer Dom), a massive, thousand-year-old sandstone cathedral boasting a striking six-tower facade and stunning tombs.
There will be time to get some lunch before departing for Eberbach Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery. A guided tour will start with a walk through the monastery, discover its wine cellars and see historic presses and barrels, explore the Abbey’s museum featuring many sculptures and paintings, tour the historic cloisters, visit the basilica and the ice cellar and discover the treasure chamber full of wine bottles. After the tour, enjoy a wine tasting and the opportunity to make some purchases in the monastery shop.
Return to the hotel for dinner and evening at leisure.
Day 7
Worms Cathedral, Martin Luther, Heidelberg and Neckar Cruise
Worms is dominated by the landmark Romanesque Cathedral of St. Peter situated on a hill overlooking the town. This four-towered Romanesque basilica is famous for its intricate interior and deep ties to the Protestant Reformation which will be discovered on a guided tour of the interior and exterior. As Worms is located along the ‘Luther Trail’ we will also see the Luther Monument, the largest monument to the Reformation which took 12 years to complete. After the tour there will be time to get some lunch, maybe enjoy a glass on Liebraumilch wine for which Worms is famous.
Continue to the city of Heidelberg whose most famous landmark is one of Europe’s most romantic castle ruins which is home to the famous ‘Heidelberg Tun’, a wine vat holding over 220,000 litres. (Note: the only access to the castle is a steep 15 minute climb on foot). On arrival, enjoy a 50 minute round trip cruise on the River Neckar whilst enjoying the sights from a different perspective. See the Old Bridge which is the city’s second most iconic structure with distinctive gate towers and marvel at views of Heidelberg Castle. There may be some time to explore the baroque old town, stroll along the Haupstrasse lined with shops, cafes and bars or visit the elegant Church of the Holy Spirit in Marktplatz before heading back to Rüdesheim for a final dinner and evening.
Day 8
Depart Rüdesheim
After breakfast start the return journey north through Germany and into Belgium for an overnight stay in the Namur area. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Day 9
Return to the UK
Depart for your chosen port (Calais or Dunkirk) for the short sea ferry crossing to Dover.
Suggested hotels
3* Hotel Felsenkeller, Rüdesheim
Centrally located hotel with 52 bedrooms equipped with flat-screen satellite TV, desk with lamp or seating, direct dial telephone, shower, toilet, hairdryer, some with cosmetic mirror and safe. 2 restaurants, bar, terrace and lounge
3* superior Hotel Alte Bauernschänke, Assmannshausen
This superior family-run hotel originating from 1408 is one of the oldest hotels along the Rhine and has its own winery. It is historical, half-timbered with individually styled bedrooms offering private facilities, hair dryer, TV, telephone and radio. Assmanshausen is approximately 5km from Rüdesheim and an ideal base for excursions along the Rhine. Nearby coach parking. (Note: If transport not available – visitors can use the local cable car/chair lift to travel to/from Rüdesheim over the Niederwald Monument (payable locally).
Oberammergau Passion Play Ticket and Hotel Information
The Passion Play stages around 100 Performances from middle May to early October. 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.
Greatdays have operated many successful individual and group tours to Oberammergau Passion Plays in 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2022 (2020 was postoned due to COVID). Our experienced teams of travel consultants will be pleased to help with your enquiry, any questions or customised travel programmes in Europe and the UK.
| Departure date | Price per person | Single supplement |
| May-October 2030 | Price on request | Price on request |
