Oberammergau
In the far south of Germany, in the province of
Garmisch-Partenkirchen on the Austrian border, lies the unassuming,
yet disarmingly charming town of Oberammergau. Surrounded by green
countryside and the steep valley hills, Oberammergau is very much a
classic town for this region, quietly existing in this idyllic
green setting.
Once every ten years however, this sleepy town comes alive with
the performances of the world-famous Oberammergau Passion Play. For
the last 376 years, barring a break for the Second World War, this
play takes over Oberammergau as over two thousand townspeople
produce a heart-wrenching epic detailing the Passion of Christ and
his final days. Across the summer, hundreds of thousands of
visitors flock to the town for the play, which is split into two
halves each lasting two and a half hours each.