In the 17th century one of history's most devastating wars took place - the Thirty Years’ War took place in central Europe. It remains one of the longest and most brutal wars in human history, with more than 8 million casualties resulting from military battles as well as from the famine and disease caused by the conflict. The war lasted from 1618 to 1648, starting as a battle among the Catholic and Protestant states. It gradually developed into a more general conflict involving most of the European great powers. These states employed relatively large mercenary armies, and the war became less about religion and more of a continuation of the France–Habsburg rivalry for European political pre-eminence.
From the war, poverty and disease spread and thousands died as a result of the Bubonic Plague. In the small village of Oberammergau, the death rate among adults had risen from one person per 1000 per year in October 1632. During this time the suffering the citizens of Oberammergau made a sacred that every 10 years they would perform
“The Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
if God would protect them from the plague. After their vow, the adult death rate slowly subsided to one in the month of July 1633. The villagers believed they had been spared and thus kept their part of the vow when the play was first performed in 1634.
The passion play is a spectacular event of which we've planned a number of unique tours accompanying it. Have a look at them below, there's something for every traveller!
Selah is excited to offer this 7 day/6 night Oberammergau Adventure to Munich, Vienna, Salzburg and Oberammergau featuring tickets to the once-a-decade Passion Play in Oberammergau.
The tour begins and ends in Munich making it easier for you to get to and from the tour. Our first stop 2 nights in the vibrant capital of Bavaria, Munich. We then take a high speed train to Vienna, the home of the Waltz and considered to be the world’s most liveable city. Enjoy 2 nights there before driving to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and famed for the Sound of Music for a 2 night stay . We then cross the border into Germany to the village of Oberammergau for the famous Passion Play performed by the village every 10 years since 1634.
We then return to Munich via Neuschwanstein Castle along the Romantic Road.
Selah is excited to offer this 7 day/6 night package to Salzburg, Vienna and Oberammergau featuring tickets to the once-a-decade Passion Play in Oberammergau.
The tour begins and ends in Munich making it east for you to get to and from the tour. Our first stop is the quaint village of Oberammergau, nestled in the Bavarian Alps. After enjoying the Play we visit the Neuschwanstein Castle on our way to Salzburg. The tour ends in Vienna with a 2 night stay.
Selah is excited to offer this 9 day/8 night package to Switzerland, Germany and Austria featuring tickets to the once-a-decade Passion Play in Oberammergau.
The tour begins in Zurich, Switerland and ends in Vienna, Austria with stops in Oberammergau, Munich and Salzburg.
Travel to the Holy Land and walk where Jesus walked. Then continue to the village of Oberammergau in Bavaria, Germany to enjoy the once in a decade Passion Play.
Following the footsteps of Apostles with an amazing tour in Greece and Turkey ending in Oberammergau for the 2020 Passion Play.
This tour is a GUARANTEED to depart. We have approximately 15 places left.
Join Ken & Danielle Allen on a Reformation tour through Netherlands, Germany & Switzerland accompanying the Oberammergau 2020 Passion play experience.
WE HAVE 2 ROOMS LEFT ON THIS TOUR!
Tread up the stone steps and down the grand boulevards of Italy’s capitals – the pavement café culture, enchanting Renaissance frescoes and incredible feats of classic architecture are all must-see highlights of this leisurely jaunt through the cities of Rome, Assisi and Venice. Explore the centuries-old Rialto food market, admire the embrace of Bologna’s Kissing Towers and enjoy 3 glorious nights in a Tuscan Villa. Continue through to Austria and onto Oberammergau to experience the once in a decade Passion Play. An experience not to be missed.
The Protestant Reformation is a movement that has shaped Christian faith and life in ways that remain critical and relevant for today. We invite you to participate in a unique tour which will enable you to engage with the vital biblical truths rediscovered at the Reformation as well as experience the world famous Passion Play in Oberammergau.
Discover the life and work of great heroes of faith such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, Johannes Gutenberg, and Ulrich Zwingli, and be inspired and encouraged in your own faith.
The tour commences in Germany’s vibrant capital city of Berlin. The following days will be spent exploring the picturesque and historic Luther towns of Wittenberg and Erfurt, as well as enjoying a relaxing morning cruise on the beautiful Rhine River. After some shopping in the medieval town of Rothenburg we will visit the fascinating city of Nuremberg, site of many important events associated with World War 2. We will then travel to Oberammergau for the Passion Play ( a play that is only held every 10 years and has been running since the 1600s). Continue to Switzerland to experience the history and beauty of Zurich and Geneva, key cities for the Swiss Reformation and the work of Calvin, Zwingli and the Anabaptist movement.
This tour is guaranteed to depart.
The Reformation was a time when the great truths of Justification by Faith alone, and the Bible as the Word of God, were rediscovered by Christians throughout Europe. This tour will explore how the Reformation spread to Scotland and England in the 16thCentury, how it led to the Evangelical Revival in the 18thCentury, and how it continues to have an impact in the global church today.
Here’s a fantastic opportunity to travel with like-minded people and attend the once-a-decade renowned Oberammergau Passion Play. The play itself is a powerful and deeply moving religious experience. There is a rich 400-year history surrounding the small village in Bavaria fulfilling the vow to God to perform the Passion Play. Our tour is designed to help us better appreciate this context and join our thanks to those offered by all the generations that have gone before us. This tour also takes advantage of the European spring season, with the beauty and mild weather. There’ll be plenty of time to enjoy some of the great German-speaking cities of central Europe – Berlin, Dresden and Vienna; experiencing the life, culture, religion and history of these cities.
The Very Revd Dr Andreas Loewe has been Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, since 2012. He is passionate about people, and prays that the Cathedral may be a place where many can experience the transforming love of God.
