Oberammergau 2022

Oberammergau Passion Play

Experience the world’s most famous Passion Play – see the incredible story of the last weeks of Jesus’ life, his death and resurrection performed in Oberammergau in 2022.

This is a rare opportunity as the Oberammergau Passion Play is only staged every ten years; thrill to the unforgettable spectacle of a large stage filled with dramatic group scenes, interspersed with music and the glorious singing of a large choir. Making the production even more unique is the fact that it is the world’s largest amateur dramatic performance since all the 2000 plus participants – actors, musicians, stage technicians etc – must be residents of the village.

This Passion Play has a long history, one born in a time of mortal threat, from the suffering and death that villagers endured during the Thirty Years War. In 1633 the inhabitants in the small Bavarian community of Oberammergau entreated God to save them from the bubonic plague that was ravaging the region. They vowed that if God answered their prayers they would produce a play about the life and death of Jesus every ten years.

They fulfilled their oath and the tradition has been preserved throughout the centuries with 2022 being the 42^nd time the Oberammergau Passion will be staged.

Where is Oberammergau?

Oberammergau is a small town located approximately 60 miles from Munich. The town is beautiful, surrounded by majestic mountains and picturesque meadows. The village is known for woodcarving. There are dozens of woodcarver shops. The town is also famous for its Bavarian themes painted along side many of the homes and buildings.

Interesting Facts About the Oberammergau Passion Play

To be in the play, you must be a resident of Oberammergau.
Over 2,000 citizens are involved including acting, singing, musicians and technical support.
There are 124 speaking roles, a 65-member orchestra, 48 person chorus and hundreds of people involved in the back end including stagehands, seamstresses, firemen, auditorium attendants and more.
Men grow out their hair and beards to make the look authentic to the time. Costumes are hand made.
The play is held May through early October. During these months, the play is performed 5 days per week in an open-air theater which seats about 4,700 people (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday). The performance begins at 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is then a dinner break, and the play resumes from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The play is performed in German, but it doesn’t seem to stop people from all over the world, including those that are not of religious backgrounds that are intrigued by the way the town comes together to perform this play. It is anticipated over 750,000 will attend in 2022.

The Passion Play Theatre is open, and the background of the mountains makes it an unforgettable scene. Passionsspiele Oberammergau

When can we see it?

The Passion Play will be performed five days per week between 14 May 2022 and 2 October 2022 in the small Bavarian town Oberammergau in the south of Germany

Call now on 1300 221 550

What can we see and do?

We have tours to meet the wants and desires of most people. Whether you are a person with strong Christian values and see this as a must-see pilgrimage, a historian who is captivated by this fascinating story, or simply an inquisitive traveller who wants more than a sandy beach when you travel, we have a tour for you. Here are three of our favourites.