Saga Holidays … Oberammergau Passion Play 2010

Oberammergau

• The Village
• Wood Carving
• Gallery

The Village

Nestled in the Bavarian Alps, the charming village of Oberammergau provides a breathtaking setting for the world-famous Passion Play.

The village houses a population of around 5,000 people, and more than half of them are involved in the production of the play, either on stage or back stage. The rest of the villagers also take an active role, mainly catering for the 5,000 visitors who attend each performance.

Aside from the Passion Play, which is held once every decade, the village and its surrounding area has much to offer the discerning visitor.

If it's spectacular scenery you want, look no further than Oberammergau. Here colourful houses with flower-filled balconies are overlooked by the distinctive peak of the Kofel Mountain. The perfect place to enjoy an exhilarating mountain hike or a relaxing stroll.

During the winter months Oberammergau becomes a haven for ski and winters sports enthusiasts. This is thanks to the areas of Kolben to the west and Laber to the east. While Kolben appeals to beginners and more leisurely skiers, those with a sense of adventure head to Laber for a challenging, unpisted experience.

The village is also famous for its beautiful artistic treasures, particularly its strong tradition of woodcarving, passed down through the generations since the Middle Ages. As you stroll through Oberammergau’s delightful web of streets, take time to browse local shops selling beautifully crafted artefacts. From religious figures to household goods, a souvenir of your time in Oberammergau is a must.

If you wish to delve deeper into the history of the woodcarving tradition, there are plenty of opportunities to do so. Perhaps visit the Oberammergau Museum to view examples of art and handicrafts from gothic to modern times, or head to the centre for art and handicraft at Pilatus House for practical demonstrations from skilled craftsmen.

‘Lüftlmalerei’, colourful frescoes that adorn many façades throughout the village, provide another reason for holidaymakers to make a visit to Oberammergau. Dating back to the 18th century, these artistic gems depict scenes from the Bible and traditional German fairytales, particularly Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood. You can admire the most important of these on Pilatus House, created by Franz Seraph Zwinck who was the greatest of the village’s fresco artists.

With so much to see and do in Oberammergau, you will want to take time to discover it for yourself. In a change from previous years, in 2010 the Passion Play will take place in the afternoon and evening, leaving you the morning free to enjoy the village and its surroundings.

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