Going to Oberammergau
By traveltripz on Apr 28, 2007 in Austria, Europe
On our way to Linderhorf Castle we went to visit Oberammergau. Just look at the beautiful painting on the building. Much of Oberammergau is painted in murals like this.
The coach trip took us through beautiful scenery. I was fascinated by the houses that have stables attached so that in the winter the cattle can be housed inside out of the snow.
Oberammergau is where the Passion Play has been performed every 10 years since 1634. During the 30 year war the population suffered months of death from the plague.
The Oberammergaus swore an oath to god that they would perform the “Play of Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ” every ten years, if they were spared from further deaths of the plague.
The first play was performed at Pentecost in 1634, on a stage constructed in the cemetery, above the graves of plague victims. The residents of Oberammergau perfom the play repeatedly over the course of five months in the first year of each new decade.
There are generally in excess of 2,000 performers, musicians, and stage technicians. The last play was performed in 2000 and tickets will be on sale for the play to be performed in 2010.
We are seriously considering returning to Europe so that we can go and see the Passion play among a lot of other things we want to see.
