The History of the Passion Play
 
The story about the genesis of the Passion Play at the village of Oberammergau is at once compelling and inspiring.

Here is the story…

In 1633 an outbreak of the Bubonic plague was racing through Central Europe, killing hundreds of thousands of people. The Black Plague, as it was known, took the lives of 15,000 people in Munich alone.

Oberammergau was then – as it is today – a lovely bucolic village resting in the mountains of southern Germany, in the region known as Bavaria.

Despite all the villagers’ efforts, the plague claimed many victims in the town. With no end to the plague in sight, the frightened residents gathered and vowed to perform a play depicting the Passion of Christ every ten years forevermore if the Lord would spare their village of further atrocity.

The town was spared of further calamity. The Plague took no more lives. And with the first performance in 1634 a tradition was born. Despite the intervening centuries and threats to their town, the villagers of Oberammergau have maintained their vow for almost four hundred years, performing every ten years the play portraying the Passion of Jesus Christ.

The play depicts the story of Our Lord Jesus Christ’s Passion, beginning with the entry into Jerusalem and ending with the resurrection and transfiguration.

Many tens of thousands of visitors of all nationalities and denominations will travel to Oberammergau to witness this dramatic and memorable event during mid May to end of September 2010.

Fulfill a dream and be ony of the many to experience Oberammergau 2010 ~ The Passion Play!