The Oberammergau Passion Play is performed every decade in the years ending in zero. There have been some exceptions to this, but the 42nd staging of the Passion Play is scheduled for 2020. Select from over 15 trips that take in Europe and Oberammergau offered by operators such as Trafalgar, Costsaver, Cosmos and Insight Vacations.
For first time travellers to the event, Oberammergau is a pretty village nestled in a valley in the Bavarian Alps and a stunning backdrop to this long held Christian celebration of faith. A home to wood carving traditions and detailed frescos adorning the facades of its buildings, the town looks equally beautiful dusted with winter snow as it is green in the spring and summer.
First performed in 1634 after the unfortunate incident when a returning resident brought bubonic plague with him. He died and other residents in the village were struck with the illness. The desperate residents made a plea to God to spare them from the illness with a vow to perform a passion play as a regular expression of their faith. Following this vow, it is held that, by the grace of God, more ill residents did not succumb to the plague.
This theatrical expression of faith involved over 2000 villagers in 2010. For the first time the performance started in the afternoon, with a three hour supper interval, ending late in the evening. The seven hour play will be performed from 16 May to 4 October 2020 to visitors from all over the world who come to follow the story of Jesus from birth to resurrection in an expression and renewal of their faith.
The villagers of Oberammergau embrace the event wholeheartedly and it has some strict traditions. Only those who have been residents there for over 20 years can be involved in the performance. The play is performed in German with translation booklets available. Preparations are well underway for the 2020 performances. A tradition upheld by the male actors is to grow their hair and beards by Ash Wednesday the year before the performance.
With the village welcoming over half a million visitors to the performance these tours sell out fast. Make the most of any Earlybird discounts, until sold out, so don’t wait to secure your place.
31 October, 2019
Enrich Your Travels with Globus’ Faith-Based ToursEnrich your travels with a faith-based exploration through Europe or the Middle East. Globus’...
02 February, 2019
See Oberammergau on a New Scenic River Cruise in 2020If you haven’t yet booked your trip to take in the decennial Passion Play in Oberammergau in...
10 December, 2024
Uncover New Zealand’s Best-Kept Secrets and Antarctic Wonders Aboard PonantIf you’ve been dreaming of a journey that blends luxurious comfort with the thrill of true...
27 November, 2024
Explore the Best of the South Island with Grand PacificDiscover New Zealand’s South Island with Grand Pacific Experience the enchantment of New...
21 October, 2024
Make The Festive Season Extra SpecialCelebrate Christmas on a Scenic River Cruise Celebrate the lead up to Christmas amongst some...
18 September, 2024
Celebrating 5 Years of Scenic Eclipse Wonder & InnovationThis year marks the celebration of 5 years since the inaugural launch of Scenic Eclipse,...
09 July, 2024
Celebrate France! Lyon: Gastronomic Capital of the WorldTo celebrate France Month, Scenic is shining a spotlight on their collection of luxury France...
02 July, 2024
Insight Vacations: Women-Only Tours"Women-only travel isn’t just about exploring new destinations. It’s about breaking down...
Tours
Styles