Alpine Passion
See the German city of Oberammergau and its famed play
By Jennifer Davoren
Passionsspiele Oberammergau
When it comes to ideal European escapes, modern Oberammergau is as picturesque and peaceful as they come. But a lot has changed over the last four centuries.
In 1633, the residents of Oberammergau -- battered by the Thirty Years' War, facing crippling food shortages and ravaged by an outbreak of the bubonic plague -- needed an escape from earthly evils. In desperation, the villagers made a promise to a higher power: If Oberammergau found relief from war, famine and disease, its inhabitants would find a way to honor Jesus of Nazareth, his teachings and his ultimate sacrifice.
The following year, a healthier Oberammergau made good on its promise by putting on a passion play, a dramatic interpretation of Jesus' final days on Earth, which includes a re-enactment of his crucifixion and resurrection. According to legend, the play was held in the local cemetery, on a stage surrounded by fresh graves.
Months later, when the plague outbreak waned and an end to the war drew closer, Oberammergau's residents attributed their newfound prosperity to the performance. The faithful village vowed to continue the play for future generations.
Today, the Oberammergau Passion Play is one of the world's most popular faith-based events. It's also a formidable undertaking, as the play employs more than 2,000 residents (almost 50 percent of the local population) for ticket sales, set design and a variety of stage roles. The first half of the play takes place from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., while the second half lasts from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Though the audience is treated to dinner and a three-hour intermission between acts, the actor portraying Jesus likely spends that time reviewing the 7,000 words he must memorize for the show.
All this might explain the play's unusual production schedule: It is offered every 10 years, with just over 100 performances per season. With a theater that seats about 5,000 -- a welcome alternative to the graveside setting of the 17th century -- the town can expect half a million tourists to drop in over a six-month theatrical run.
Oberammergau's dedication certainly has boosted its tourist trade. Every show of the 2000 season sold out months ahead of schedule, and the town's hotels were filled with enthusiastic audience members. The same level of demand is expected for the play's 41st season of performances, which runs from May 15 through Oct. 3, 2010.
An escorted tour offers an easy option for travelers who want to see the spectacle along with other sights in this fascinating corner of Europe. These trips not only combine the cost of accommodations, ground transportation, sightseeing excursions and some meals into one price that's paid up front, but they also include a performance of the play. Bogged down by millions of requests for tickets each season, Oberammergau officials often turn to escorted tour companies to streamline the reservation process.
Vacations To Go, a Houston-based travel agency specializing in discounted vacations, has compiled a growing list of tour itineraries that include the Oberammergau Passion Play. New tours and additional departure dates are continually added to the site as tour operators release their Oberammergau itineraries. Nearly 100 trips were available at press time, with vacations ranging from three to 23 days in length.
One such tour is "European Delight Plus Oberammergau," an escorted vacation in Germany and Austria hosted by Trafalgar Tours' budget brand, Trafalgar CostSaver. This 10-day trip includes three days in Vienna, a day in Salzburg, two days in Munich and guaranteed tickets to the passion play. The itinerary also spends two days in Oberammergau, giving travelers an opportunity to see the fresco-adorned facades of the village square. Prices for this vacation begin at $3,250 per person, plus airfare to Europe; 20 departures are offered between May 12 and Sept. 22.
Meanwhile, Globus offers the 11-day "German Highlights and Oberammergau." In addition to the play, this trip includes activities in Frankfurt, Cologne, Berlin, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Munich and Heidelberg. Globus also treats guests to a day cruise on the Rhine River for picturesque views of vineyards, castles and cliffs. Thirty departure dates currently are available between May 9 and Aug. 31, with prices starting at $2,788, plus airfare. This particular tour is filling up fast -- a dozen departures, including all September dates, have sold out.
Travelers with time to spare might try a panoramic view of Germany and its European neighbors. Trafalgar offers 10- to 22-day tours that stop in Oberammergau, with starting prices ranging from $2,625 to $5,190 per person, plus airfare. The longest and one of the priciest is "European Escapade Plus Oberammergau," which includes visits to England, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France and the Netherlands as well as tickets to the passion play. Another Trafalgar offering is "European Whirl Plus Oberammergau," a 15-day trip that incorporates London, Amsterdam, Venice, Rome, Florence, Lucerne and Paris in a packed itinerary. Twenty departure dates are offered from May 16 to Sept. 26, with rates that start at $3,475 per person, plus airfare.
"Discover Croatia With the Dalmatian Coast" from Collette Vacations allows guests to combine the passion play with sightseeing in Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina; departures run from May 26 to Sept. 22 and start at $3,499 per person, plus airfare. Gate 1 Travel offers "Classic Pilgrimages: 10-Day Rome Forever and Passion Play," which spends four days in the Eternal City. Guests also tour Munich and Neuschwanstein Castle, which looks like it came straight out of a Brothers Grimm tale. There are only two scheduled departures for this trip, June 7 and 21, with rates that start at $2,699 per person, plus airfare.
Viking River Cruises pairs the passion play with a weeklong sailing on the Danube River. After a couple of days in Oberammergau, you'll travel to the German city of Nuremberg to board a 150-passenger riverboat and embark on an easygoing cruise on one of Europe's most famous waterways. Stops include Regensburg and Passau in Germany, and Melk and Vienna in Austria; the trip ends in Budapest. Departures for "Romantic Danube and the Passionsspiele" start at $4,349 per person, plus airfare.
Information: For more information on European tours and river cruises that include tickets to this event, visit Vacations To Go or call (800) 680-2858.
The information in this story was accurate at the time it was published in September/October 2009.
Please visit Vacations To Go or call (800) 680-2858 for current rates and details.
