Oberammergau, Alpine municipality in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
Oberammergau is a municipality in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district of Bavaria, nestled at 837 meters (2,746 feet) above sea level. House facades display painted scenes depicting biblical and secular themes, while the center extends along the village road between meadows and mountain slopes.
The settlement emerged in the early Middle Ages and belonged for centuries to Ettal Abbey, which shaped its economy. In 1634, after a plague epidemic, residents vowed to perform a Passion Play every ten years, a tradition that continues to this day.
Woodcarving shapes the appearance of the settlement through workshops and shops where artisans create religious figures and nativity scenes by hand. Visitors often watch craftspeople at work and can admire finished sculptures displayed in storefronts along the main street.
A chairlift ascends to Kolben, where marked trails run through meadows and forests and ski slopes operate in winter. Most sights lie within the center and are easily reached on foot, while parking areas can be found at the edge of the settlement.
More than 2000 residents take part in the Passion Play, and only those born here or living in the settlement for at least 20 years may participate. Preparations begin years in advance, and many performers grow their hair long to complete the historical costumes.
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