Famed for its centuries-old tradition of performing Passion Plays, Oberammergau is a charming town in the Bavarian Alps. It’s home to the Bavarian State Woodcarving School where the celebrated German artist Wolfram Aichele studied. Many of Oberammergau’s buildings are adorned with “Lüftlmalerei”, traditional trompe-l’œil frescoes depicting religious and mythical themes.
Things to do in Oberammergau
One of Oberammergau’s most famous buildings is the 18th-century House of Pilate, which is decorated with frescoes painted by Franz Seraph Zwinck. It houses one of Europe’s largest collections of reverse glass paintings, which were highlighted by Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc when they were printed in “Der Blaue Reiter” in 1912. Don’t miss a visit to the “Living Workshop” where you can see traditional craftspeople in action.
Also nearby is the Kölblhaus, another residential building with a magnificent painted facade by Franz Seraph Zwinck. It was originally built in 1746 by a local merchant and takes its name from its 19th-century owner, Kaspar Kölbl. Adjacent is the Church of St. Peter and Paul, which is considered an outstanding example of German Baroque architecture.
Coincide your visit with the Oberammergau Passion Play, which is performed in the town once every 10 years. The tradition dates back to 1634 when the villagers promised regular performances if God spared them from the bubonic plague. Based on 15th and 16th-century manuscripts, the play covers the final period of Jesus’ life, from his visit to Jerusalem to his crucifixion.
Getting around Oberammergau
Oberammergau is just over an hour’s drive from the centre of Munich and 1.5 hours from Munich International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Trains connect from Murnau to the Oberammergau railway station and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.