 | The drive from Murnau to Oberammergau was just beautiful!! Both villages are south of Munich. "Oberammergau" means the upper region of the Ammergau River that flows through the area. "Ober" means upper. This picturesque town is where the world-famous "Passion Play" is held every ten years. (This town is not far from where my parents met in the ski resort/hotel where they worked in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. I wish I had time to visit there....maybe next time!) | ||
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View from inside our MERCEDES BENZ
coach bus!!!!
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Many of the buildings in the town have murals on the walls that either tell stories or depict religious icons.
Our group walking from the coach bus toward the center of the village and the Passion Play Theatre.
This mountainside is located near the entrance to the village...notice the images on the front...I didn't catch them until after I had taken the picture of the cross on the top!
A frame of a folk tale on one of the shops
One of many woodcarver's shops...the craftsmanship is just amazing! Oberammergau is also famous for its woodcarvings. That is how the villagers make a living when the Passion Play is not being performed.
"Freiwillige Feuerwehr" is the Volunteer Fire Department in Oberammergau! I chatted with them in German and some of them wanted to know about Chicago!
This is the entrance to the Passion Play Museum, behind which is the theatre.
"Passionspiele" is "Passion Play"....the word
"spiele" in German means play. This dramatic performance of the life of Christ, His suffering, death, and resurrection, has been shown every 10 years since 1633. Read more about this moving production at: History of the Passion Play
(2,000 villagers take part in this performance that includes an orchestra, dancers, and a cast of characters that includes live goats, horses, sheep, doves, and even camels!!)
The most famous of the woodcarvers is Josef Albl. "Holzschnitzereien" is the German word
for wood carvings. "Holz" is wood, and "schnitzen" means to carve.
This beautiful mural is located just outside the Passion Play Theatre.
This is an artist's shop that contains mainly religious paintings and sketches...near the theater.
My sister, Monica, (left) with Lois, a member of our travel group.
A few examples of Josef's smaller woodcarvings
Our travel group gathering for lunch in Oberammergau...the green umbrella was used
by our tour guide to help us keep site of him in a crowd....Fritz was our Austrian umbrella man! For now, though, Herb is the keeper of the green!
Inside the restaurant....wonderful regional foods!
Some in our group had a meat dish while I had some yummy white fish...and the salads/soups were so fresh!
It was interesting seeing so many religious items inside of restaurants and stores throughout Bavaria!
Another view of the Hotel Oberammergau...I just love the balconies and flowers on so many of the buildings!
My sister, Monica, enjoying a relaxing lunch. She's quite the busy Ambassador Club coordinator at the bank in Illinois where she works. The members of the club have traveled all over the world and the U.S. Monica also plans many terrific activities for these folks throughout the year...they have been up to the Fireside Theatre in Fort Atkinson, WI many times! :-)
Waiting for the Passion Play to begin...the stage is the only section that is not covered. When filled to capacity, and it always is, the theatre holds about 4,000 people! You are not allowed to take photos or videos during the performance.
While walking around during the show's intermission, we watched in fascination as this local woodcarver created his newest piece. He was at it for many hours that day.
At first, I thought this was an actual crucifix, but it's a painting!!
One of the posts inside of the Passion Play Museum
Amazing history of this play that goes back to 1633!
This is the Ammergau River that flows through the village and region.
"Auf Wiedersehen" (Goodbye) to a beautiful village and a memorable spiritual experience in having seen the Passion Play!
