Oberammergau Passion Play 2022 History

The Plague

The history of the Oberammergau Passion Play dates back to the seventeenth century. In 1633 the Black Plague, also known as the bubonic plague, rampaged through Europe, killing thousands. For months the small village of Oberammergau managed to keep the dreaded disease at bay, mainly because of its remote location in the Bavarian Alps. Unfortunately, the epidemic struck the nearby town of Ettal.

The people of Oberammergau, however, controlled the spread of the disease by keeping close watch and preventing strangers from entering their village. Alas, late one evening, a villager who had been away, homesick for his family, stole back into the town and unknowingly brought the plague to his people. Within a few months 84 villagers had died.

The Promise

In 1634 the townspeople first performed their Passion Play at Pentacost over the graves of plague victims. Eventually their vow was adopted by their children and their descendants. To this day, the villagers of Oberammergau have kept their promise virtually unbroken.

The Play

Today the Passion Play is the most famous play in history. It’s a five-hour musical drama that follows the last five days of Jesus’ life from the time He entered Jerusalem through His crucifixion and resurrection. The 2022 performances will include spoken dramatic text and opera-style singing backed by a full orchestra and chorus. Interspersed throughout will be narrated tableaux vivants (“living pictures”) with motionless actors depicting scenes from Old Testament that act as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments.