Bill's Aviation Log

The Oberammergau Passion Play was first performed in 1634. According to local legend, the play is performed every ten years because of a vow made by the inhabitants of the village that if God spared them from the effects of the bubonic plague then sweeping the region, they would perform a passion play every ten years. A man traveling back to the town for Christmas allegedly brought the plague with him by accident. The man purportedly died from the plague and it began spreading throughout Oberammergau. After the vow was made, according to tradition, not another inhabitant of the town died from the plague. All of the town members that were still suffering from the plague are said to have recovered.

About half the inhabitants of Oberammergau perform the story of the Passion of Jesus for audiences from around the world.

The play is now performed in years ending with a zero, as well as in 1934 which was the 300th anniversary and 1984 which was the 350th anniversary (though the 1920 performance was postponed to 1922 due to postwar economic conditions, and the 1940 performance was cancelled due to the onset of the Second World War in 1939). The 2020 was postponed to 2022 due to the outbreak of COVID-19. It involves over 2,000 actors, singers, instrumentalists and technicians, all residents of the village.

June 18, 2023 - Germany Oberammergau
Leaving Saltzburg, Austria, we backtracked to Munich then headed south- southwest into the Bavarian Alps on Interestate 95. Well, it wasn't Interstate 95 but it was a Autovon A-95. We were headed for the pretty little village of Oberammergau.

Oberammergau is most famously known for its its 380-year tradition of mounting Passion Plays. Lynnette actually attended the Passion Play last year.

Painted exteriors are big in Oberammergau, and look very nice. They are called Luftimalerei.

The striking Kofel, popular with rock climbers, overlooks the town. You can hike to the summit of the 4,403 foot mountain. The last hundred meters of elevation are covered in a summit climb which is suitable even for families with children, provided they are sure-footed and have a head for heights. Steep and exposed sections are secured by fixed steel cables.

P15

Main street. Since this is an off year for the Passion Play, the town was not too crowded.

The Oberammergau Passion Play was first performed in 1634. According to local legend, the play is performed every ten years because of a vow made by the inhabitants of the village that if God spared them from the effects of the bubonic plague then sweeping the region, they would perform a passion play every ten years. A man traveling back to the town for Christmas allegedly brought the plague with him by accident. The man purportedly died from the plague and it began spreading throughout Oberammergau. After the vow was made, according to tradition, not another inhabitant of the town died from the plague. All of the town members that were still suffering from the plague are said to have recovered. About half the inhabitants of Oberammergau perform the story of the Passion of Jesus for audiences from around the world. The play is now performed in years ending with a zero, as well as in 1934 which was the 300th anniversary and 1984 which was the 350th anniversary (though the 1920 performance was postponed to 1922 due to postwar economic conditions, and the 1940 performance was cancelled due to the onset of the Second World War in 1939). The 2020 was postponed to 2022 due to the outbreak of COVID-19. It involves over 2,000 actors, singers, instrumentalists and technicians, all residents of the village.

Elaborate Luftimalerei.

Town center.

The motifs on the painted houses are mostly biblical scenes, as seen here, or famous fairy-tale characters.

Painted hotel and restaurant.

Woodcarvings by local artisans may be had in some of the shops Oberammergau has a Woodcarving school, founded in 1887, that takes only 20 students per year out of 450 applicants.

A better look at the Kofel.

Pretty flower baskets.



Flower baskets on steroids!


	Previous	Home	Next

June 18, 2023 - Germany Oberammergau

June 18, 2023 - Germany
Oberammergau