Don’t miss this Summer’s greatest show: Oberammergau
We've been creating holidays for globetrotting solo travellers for over 40 years.
A historical performance combining history, art and tradition in a beautiful mountain setting make this a once-in-a-lifetime trip
In the picturesque Ammer Valley in Germany’s Bavarian Alps, years of preparations are about to come to fruition. Every 10 years the village of Oberammergau stages of one of the world’s most famous plays, The Passion Play, which re-enacts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Although plays with this theme are performed worldwide, Oberammergau’s once-a-decade version is unique. To be in the play, you must be a resident of Oberammergau or have lived in the village for 20 years or more. Since the 2022 cast was announced men have grown out their hair and beards; choristers have been polishing their top and low notes; tailors and woodcarvers have been busy with sets and costumes, while hundreds more villagers – children included – have been learning lines.
The Passion Play of Oberammergau is part of the Intangible Heritage for UNESCO. The origins of this extraordinary play began in 1633 when Oberammergau was struck down by the Great Plague. The inhabitants prayed for their lives to be spared, pledging in return an oath to perform a play every ten years depicting the trial, suffering and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The villagers have kept their vow since the first performance in 1634.
Today, the Passion Play draws a worldwide audience of around 500,000 to marvel at a cast of approximately 2,000 amateur actors – including the two men who will share the role of Jesus. There are 124 speaking roles, a 55-strong orchestra and hundreds of people involved behind the scenes including stagehands, tailors, firemen and ushers.
Solos Holidays has tickets! The postponement of the 42nd production of the play in 2020, due to the global pandemic, will make this year’s play even more special. From May to October over 100 performances of the five-hour play will be staged. The play is divided into twelve scenes, with scenes one to six and seven to 12 separated by a three-hour break. The scenery, music and acting on this, the world’s largest outdoor stage, will take your breath away.
