Passion play in Oberammergau - tradition from 1633

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | The Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, is a five-hour, powerful dramatization of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. The play is performed every 10 years and has been done regularly since 1633. The more we read about it, the more fascinated we become.

Passion play in Oberammergau

The story of the Passion Play in Oberammergau began almost 400 years ago. In 1633, the small village, like many other places around Europe, was hit by the terrible plague. In a short time, a large number of the village's inhabitants died, and in desperation they promised to stage a play every 10 years about the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The first Passion Play was performed in 1634, and the villagers have kept their promise ever since. The play has been passed down from generation to generation and is performed regularly every 10 years, with a few exceptions due to world wars and bans due to secularization.

The 2020 Passion Play has been postponed due to the pandemic

The Passion Play was supposed to be held in 2020, but had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, it was held two years later, in 2022. There is a certain historical irony in this: the tradition of the Passion Play arose after the residents of Oberammergau made a promise during the plague epidemic of 1633.

Theatre for the Passion Play in Oberammergau

Initially, the Passion Play in Oberammergau was staged outdoors, in simple conditions and in the cemetery. The first real Passion Play theatre was opened in 1820. The theatre was then rebuilt in 1890 and 1930, and in 2000 it was given a facelift again.

The oldest surviving text of the drama used dates from 1662 and is based on 15th century texts. Originally written in verse, the text was revised in 1850 by Joseph Alois Daisenberger. The music was composed in 1811 by Rochus Dedler.

Did you know that ...?

The powerful performance lasts for five hours and involves more than 2,000 people. Almost half the population of Oberammergau, which has just over 5,000 inhabitants, attends to devoutly tell the story of Jesus of Nazareth. Did you know that ...?

• Only residents of Oberammergau are entitled to play in the passion games. To be considered a resident in this case, you must have grown up there, or have lived there for at least 20 years.
• According to a hair and beard decree actors are not allowed to cut their hair 1.5 years before the game, starting from Ash Wednesday (Carnival). The only exceptions are those playing Roman soldiers.
• Married women over 35 years old were excluded from participating in the Games until 1984.
• Only Christian actors were allowed to play until 1990. From 2000, Muslims are also allowed in the games.
• Queen Victoria of Sweden (then Victoria of Baden) visited the Passion Play in 1880.

More to see in the area

If you're travelling to see the Passion Play in Oberammergau, you might also want to check out the surrounding area. Here you can experience beautiful nature, lakes and castles. Here are some specific tips. We have visited one of the places (Neuschwanstein Castle) and other tips come from the German Tourist Board. Stay tuned!

1. Lake Ammersee

Ammersee is a lake located south-west of Munich. At the southern end of the lake, there is a small island called 'Schwedinsel' (Swedish Island). The story behind the name is that during the 30 Years' War the inhabitants of the town of Diessen sought refuge here when their village was threatened by Swedish soldiers. Today the lake is a quiet recreational area with marinas and campsites.

• Distance from Oberammergau: 60-80 kilometres
• Camping: Utting am Ammersee
• Read more: Bayregio Ammersee

2. monastery of Ettal

Ettal Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in the village of Ettal, near Oberammergau and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The village has just over 700 inhabitants, 50 of whom are monks, so it is understandable that the monastery is an important part of the community. The monastery is also one of the largest Benedictine houses and a significant attraction for visitors.

• Distance from Oberammergau: 5 kilometres
• Camping: Campingpark Oberammergau

3. Linderhof Castle

Linderhof is a castle near Oberammergau. It is the smallest of three castles built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, also known as Mad King Ludwig. Linderhof was built between 1874 and 1878 and is the only one of Ludwig's castles to be completed. It is also the only castle where Ludwig himself lived for an extended period of time. There is also a castle park with a castle theatre in a cave.

• Distance from Oberammergau: 14 kilometres
• Camping: Campingpark Oberammergau
• Read more: Linderhof Castle

4th Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein is a castle that was also built by King Louis II of Bavaria. The castle is seen as the model for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle, and is perhaps one of the most famous castles in the world. We visited it ourselves in November 2015, but you may also have seen it on posters and puzzles. We highly recommend a visit, but be prepared for many tourists.

• Distance from Oberammergau: 45 kilometres
• Camping: Camping Brunnen or Camping Hopfensee
• Read more: Neuschwanstein

5. The Wieskirche Valley Church - a Unesco World Heritage Site

The Vallfartskirche in Wies is a church building in Wies in the federal state of Bavaria. The church was built in the mid-18th century and in 1983 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

• Distance from Oberammergau: 25 kilometres
• Camping: Terrace camping at Richterbichl and Via Claudia Camping

6. murnau

Murnau am Staffelsee is a town in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The town is known for its artists, such as the female artist Gabriele Münter and the "Der Blaue Reiter" artist group with Franz Marc and Wassily Kandinsky.

• Distance from Oberammergau: 25 kilometres
• Camping: Camping Burg Peninsula
• Read more: Murnau

7th Zugspitze

Zugspitze is Germany's highest mountain. It is located in the Bavarian Alps and its highest peak measures 2,962.06 metres above sea level. The mountain was first climbed in 1820.

Today you can make it easier for yourself and get to the top by cable car, either with the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn or the Eibsee-Seilbahn. You can also take the Zugspitzbahn train and walk the last 300 metres on foot, or combine it with the Gletscherseilbahn cable car. Near the summit is Germany's largest glacier, the Schneeferner.

• Distance from Oberammergau: 40-70 kilometres
• Camping: Camping Experience Zugspitze and Camping Resort Zugspitze
• Read more: Zugspitze

Have you heard about, or seen, the Passion Play in Oberammergau?

Had you heard of the Passion Play in Oberammergau before? Or maybe you have even seen them? Have you travelled in Bavaria?