Germany’s Passion Play

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There are many reasons to put Munich and Bavaria on your Germany travel radar. Allow us to give you one more. Once every 10 years, the Passion Play comes to the small town of Obermmergau, lying in the shadow of the Bavarian Alps. It’s a grand spectacle that has attracted global attention for its telling of the Passion. With a year to go before the 2020 Passion Festival, we share how you can see Germany’s Passion Play, and what else to see and do in this fabled region of the country.

Why you should see the play?

Since a terrible plague swept through the town in 1633, the people of Obermmergau pledged to act out the Passion Play every 10 years. It became so well known that musicians, artists, politicians, and royalty from around the world have flocked to this town to watch the play. A live orchestra, choir, and an elaborate cast of actors tell the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, crucifixion, and resurrection. The tale plays out against grand backdrops, and the audience has time to reflect on each of the 11 acts. The Passion Festival runs from May to October 2020, and it’s a must-stop on your Germany travel list.

What to do in Munich

An art historian will guide you through Munich’s car-free historical center. This area is concentrated with the neoclassical National Theater (home of the Bavarian State Opera and Bavarian State Ballet), St. Kajetan church, the Town Hall, and the Glockenspiel. During your time in Munich you will see somber traces of the Third Reich around the Konigsplatz. All the wandering will build up a hearty appetite, satisfied with a typical Bavarian meal followed by a restful night at the Bayerischer Hof.

Germany often feels like its been pulled straight from a fairytale. Outside the city see Nymphenburg Palace, a Baroque castle dating back to 1664 that fits right in with stories of princesses and kings.

What to see in Upper Bavaria

A beautiful landscape unfolds as you head out of the city and drive to Lake Starnberg’s Buchheim Museum. Here you will see a collection of national art, including pieces by the famous expressionists “Blaue Reiter.” The Munter-Museum showcases Bavarian folk art and feels right at home among the snow-capped mountains.

Visit the charming villages dotting the idyllic countryside with rococo and Baroque churches nestled among their quiet streets. Neuschwanstein, one of the most well known castles in the world, is perched on a jagged cliff above a river valley. Built by King Ludwig II in 1868, the spellbinding architecture will make you feel like you stepped into a long lost tale.

How to Customize with Ker & Downey

With so much to see and do in the country, we want to make sure you get the most out of your Germany travel journey. We work with you to customize your trip and secure exclusive access to experiences unique to your own interests. Beer aficionados won’t want to miss the brewery tour, or a wander through Munich’s Viktualien Market followed by a cooking class. See how the iconic German export, the BMW, is produced in its facility. You can see even more classic German cars on our journey through the Alps.

Ready to explore more of Germany’s Munich and Bavaria region? Contact your Ker & Downey designer.

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