Oberammergau 2010 overview

The history of the world-famous Passion Play in Oberammergau dates back to 1633. The Great Plague descended and many lives were lost to this mysterious illness. The villagers asked that the village would be spared and if it was they would put on this play, miraculously the Plague did not claim any more lives and so true to their vow, the villagers of Oberammergau enacted their first play in 1634. They have continued to do so every decade since in spite of wars and other problems.
In 2010, more than 2000 village residents will present the five hour long performance telling the story of ‘The Passion of Jesus of Nazareth’ for the 41st time.
The village is also known as the home of a local tradition of woodcarving. The streets of central Oberammergau are home to dozens of woodcarver shops, with pieces ranging from religious subjects, to toys, to humoristic portraits.
Oberammergau is also famous for its "Lüftlmalerei," or frescoes, of traditional Bavarian themes, fairy tales, or religious scenes found on many homes and buildings. There is a beautiful painting on a house in the centre of Oberammergau of the storyof Little Red Riding Hood. The play will be on in 2010 from May until October.