Why you should visit Oberammergau in Germany

Oberammergau Germany is a beautiful town situated in the spectacular Bavarian Alps. It is the perfect travel destination throughout the year.  Winter or summer….it is beautiful, and it is pretty famous

It is first of all famous for the Passion Play that takes place every 10 years, but also for its woodcarvers and woodcarvings as well as the spectacular buildings decorated, or rather painted, with a technique known as Lüftlmalerei.  Lüftlmalerei, is native to southern Germany and Austria, and especially in Upper Bavaria and in Tirol / Tyrol.

It is known as a popular tourist destination for many reasons, but probably the biggest reason is the fact that they host the Passion Play.  

Oberammergau is famous for its Passion Play, a theatrical performance depicting the life and death of Jesus Christ, which is held once every ten years. The play involves over 2,000 local performers and is a unique cultural event that attracts visitors from around the world.

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Visit Oberammergau in Germany

More reasons to visit:

  • Scenic Beauty: Oberammergau is situated in the Bavarian Alps and surrounded by stunning natural scenery, including mountains, forests, and lakes. Visitors can enjoy hiking, cycling, skiing, and other outdoor activities in the area, or simply take in the beauty of the surroundings.

  • Traditional Crafts: Oberammergau is known for its traditional woodcarving industry, which dates back to the 16th century. Visitors can explore the local woodcarving shops and see craftsmen at work, or even take a carving class themselves. The town is also home to a number of other traditional crafts, including painting, embroidery, and lace-making.

Although you will find some of the most beautiful architecture in the world all around town, there are also two churches you just have to visit.

Two spectacular churches you simply must visit, with beautiful interior:

 

Pilgrimage Church of Wies:  “First-time visitors in the Wies, with no previous knowledge about the church, may well stand in wonder and ask themselves what could have possibly given rise to the building of such an unusually magnificent church in such a secluded place.

Indeed, something out of the ordinary, from many points of view, took place here. Human tears, an age-old phenomenon, were the spiritual building stones, the precious pearls from which the Wies Church, a world-famous roccoco jewel, was created.  In the 18th Century, the Wies Church was already known throughout Europe as a place of reverence for the Scourged Saviour and at the same time a famous gem of baroque architecture.

Even today the church lives from both these wellsprings: its spiritual and artistic richness. Thus, the Wies Church continues as a pilgrimage church, a place of prayer and worship, and is simultaneously a magical drawing point for millions of visitors.” (Photo also from their Website)

Wieskirche Oberammergau

Where:  (25 min by car) Wies 12, 86989 Steingaden, Germany

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St. Peter and Paul:  “Today’s parish church has as a forerunner a wooden church in the beginning, then a Romanesque and then a Gothic church. At the beginning of the 18th century the damage was so great that it could no longer be repaired with the resources of the time. Canon Clemens Prasser, who headed his monastery as provost from 1740 to 1770, designed the theological program of the furnishings with a focus on the redemption of mankind and the veneration of the church patrons Peter and Paul.” (View photos of the interior on their Website)

Where: Frühmessergasse 1, 82487 Oberammergau, Germany

Church in Oberammergau
More special things to do
Only 14 min (13.6 km) away (via the B23) in Ettal, you’ll find the beautiful Linderhof PalaceEnjoy the Schloss and beautiful Park Linderhof on a day trip.

A visit to Linderhof Palace is only possible as part of a  guided tour.

Linderhof Palace

40 min (45,7 km) via B17 and B23, you’ll find the famous Neuschwanstein Castle.

Tickets for Neuschwanstein Castle are available online at  www.hohenschwangau.de and on premise at the Ticket Center Hohenschwangau (limited capacities).

A visit to Neuschwanstein Castle is only possible as part of a guided tour

Neuschwanstein castle
Book a tour that includes Oberammergau

Search for a day trip

An excellent tour, would be one that includes Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof, Ettal & Oberammergau (8 - 11 hours)

Question:

Should I book Oberammergau tickets in advance?

Answer:

Yes, it is a good idea to book your e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot since Oberammergau can get crowded. If you book with Viator, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.

A special experience

The House of Pilate has frescoes by Franz Seraph Zwinck and live demonstrations by woodcarvers and artists. 

The Oberammergau Museum features woodcarvings by local artisans, and visitors can see them while working in the “living workshop” in ‘Pilatushaus’ (a beautifully decorated building created in 1784 by the Oberammergau Lüftlmaler Franz Seraph Zwinck).

Where:   Ludwig-Thoma-Str. 10 82487 Oberammergau

Places to visit in Oberammergau

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Kathe Wohlfahrt Shops
A Must-Visit Shop

Especially if you love Christmas…

Käthe Wohlfahrt is in Oberammergau

One of my favorite stops is the Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas decoration and gift shops and markets.

Where: Christkindlmarkt, Dorfstraße 25, 82487 Oberammergau

This is also the town to shop for a beautiful wooden Nativity Scene.  Handcrafted by the best.

Where to stay
Hotel Alte Post Oberammergau where to stay

Hotel Alte Post

This hotel, dating back to 1612, is perfectly situated in the center of town. 

But there are more options, popular with tourists: