OBERAMMERGAU EXPERIENCE
We’ve been taking guests to Oberammergau for decades; this lovely Bavarian alpine village, home to the world-famous Passion Play (Passionsspiele), has long been a favorite destination. When you travel with Globus to Oberammergau 2010, you’ll benefit from this expertise – watching the Passion Play from our premium seating; staying in the heart of the village at the chalet-style Hotel Boeld, a superior hotel a short walk from the Passionsspiele theatre; dining at the town’s finest restaurant; and enjoying an Oberammergau experience that you’ll simply never forget!
OBERAMMERGAU’S “PASSIONSSPIELE”
Nestled among the craggy peaks and rolling meadows of the Bavarian Alps, the picturesque village of Oberammergau – with a population of around 5,000 – has been known for its exquisite woodcarving tradition for more than 500 years. But a tradition of another kind has made this little alpine hamlet famous the world over. It all began in 1634 when the Black Death plague decimated Europe’s population. Oberammergau remained untouched until a homesick villager returned one night, unknowingly bringing with him the dreaded plague. Almost 100 villagers died as a result. Frightened survivors vowed that if God saved them from the plague, once every 10 years they would reenact the agony and crucifixion of Christ. From then on there were no further deaths from the plague—and the villagers have fulfilled their pledge ever since performing the first Passionsspiele (Passion Play) in 1634.
With just a few exceptions, it has been produced every ten years ever since, with the performances moved to the first year of every decade in 1680. Today’s Passionsspiele – based largely on text and music created in the early 19th century – employs enacted scenes portraying the life and Passion of Jesus (spoken in High German), orchestral and choral music, motionless actors in tableaux vivants of Old Testament stories, and modern theatrical technology to create a spectacular performance event that is second to none in its power and scope, held in a theatre that seats 4,700. The 2010 Passionsspiele will involve some 2,100 actors, singers, musicians and technicians – about 1,600 of whom appear onstage, in huge scenes with up to 800 people performing at the same time! And every one is a village resident; only those born in Oberammergau or who have lived there for more than 20 years, along with all the children of the village, are eligible to participate. Rehearsals for choir and orchestra began in 2007; on Ash Wednesday, 2009, a traditional decree will ask all actors to begin growing their hair and beards. Actors’ rehearsals begin in Fall, 2009 in preparation for performances from May to September, 2010 – when you can experience this once-in-a-lifetime event in premium seating, on one of ten special Globus journeys!
Globus invites you to experience this legendary event on one of the special vacations being offered in 2010.
GLOBUS RELIGIOUS 2010 OBERAMMERGAU VACATIONS
These three special Religious Vacations combine the classic Passion Play event with the religious stories and traditions that surround the destinations and the Crucifixion itself. Globus Tours and performances from May to September, 2010.
Catholic Germany & Alps: 10 days (TCO)
Munich, Oberammergau, Lucerne, Karlsruhe, Cologne, Frankfurt
The European Reformation plus Oberammergau: 12 days (TLO)
Geneva, Heidelberg, Rhineland, Erfurt, Nuremberg, Oberammergau, Munich
Grand Catholic Italy: 14 days (TVO)
Rome, San Giovanni Rotondo, Assisi, Florence, Venice, Innsbruck, Oberammergau, Munich
OBERAMMERGAU VACATIONS
Please contact us for more information about these vacations that featuring the Passion Play in Oberammergau.
Enchanting Europe & Oberammergau: 14 days (HMO)
London, Paris, Lucerne, Oberammergau, Rhineland, Amsterdam
Imperial Splendors & Oberammergau: 13 days (RSO)
Munich, Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg, Oberammergau, Munich
Munich, Salzburg, Vienna & Oberammergau: 11 days (RTO)
Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Oberammergau, Munich
The Best of Austria & Switzerland plus Oberammergau: 16 days (ZCO)
Vienna, Salzburg, St. Moritz, Zermatt, Berne, Lucerne, Innsbruck, Oberammergau, Munich
German Highlights & Oberammergau: 11 days (ZDO)
Frankfurt, Cologne, Berlin, Nuremberg, Oberammergau, Black Forest, Frankfurt
Alpine Countries & Oberammergau: 16 days (ZFO)
Frankfurt, Oberammergau, Vienna, St. Veit, Innsbruck, St. Moritz, Lugano, Zermatt, Lucerne, Frankfurt
European Charm & Oberammergau: 13 days (HBO)
Amsterdam, Rhineland, Munich, Oberammergau, Venice, Lucerne, Montreux, Paris
ABOUT OBERAMMERGAU IN 2010
The play portrays the Passion of Christ—from the entry into Jerusalem to the Resurrection. Performances are held in the afternoon and evening with an included dinner break in between. The play usually consists of more than 2,000 actors, singers, musicians, and technicians with rehearsals starting at least a year before the event.
The Passion Play Theater has an openair stage framed by magnificent alpine scenery. A covered auditorium has almost 5,000 seats.
Oberammergau is a humble village wrapped year-round in the atmosphere of the Passion Play. The town has a pervasive peacefulness untouched by 21st-century hubbub. Its hotels are like country inns, cozy and comfortable, reflecting the modesty of the village.
Not all Tour Operators have hotel space in the lovely town of Oberammergau. Globus offers convenient accommodations in the town center which include rooms with private bath or shower. Please note that there are no single rooms, and guests traveling alone are required to share in Oberammergau.
All Globus guests enjoy first-class seats.
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