Pilgrimage Holidays

Oberammergau Passion Play History

The history of the Oberammergau Passion Play begins in 1633. During the Thirty Years' War, after much suffering and also many deaths caused by the plague, the surviving population of Oberammergau vowed that they would perform the "play of the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ" every ten years if they were spared from extinction. At Whitsun in 1634 they kept their promise for the first time. As early as the middle of the 18th century spectators came to Oberammergau from all parts of Germany, attracted by the great power and mystique of the play. In 2010 the village will perform the play for the 41st time, maintaining the continuity of this unique world famous event.