09 February 2010

Passion Play Packs Them In!

The world famous Oberammergau passion play, performed every 10 years by the residents of an Austrian village is proving massively popular with West Country travellers.

Coach operators Bakers Dolphin are set to take 150 people from Bristol and Somerset to Austria to see the event this summer.

The Passion Play dates back to 1633 when the Bubonic plague hit the small Bavarian Village and residents vowed that if they were spared they would perform the play depicting Christ’s suffering every 10 years.

Amanda Harrington of Bakers Dolphin said: “The play has captured the imagination of people in the South West once again. We have individuals and church groups making bookings and we will now be taking groups there in June, July and September.

“The whole village takes part with the men pledging not to cut their hair or shave from Ash Wednesday 2009 until after the play has been performed so everyone looks as if they have stepped out of the pages of the Bible.

“It is a fantastic atmosphere and the groups we are taking will enjoy day tickets to the play, which acts out scenes from the Old and New Testament over eight hours with a three hour meal interval. We are also including tours of the fabulous Bavarian Lakes nearby and a cruise on Lake Forgensee.

“Obviously for Christian groups it is a fantastic event but our bookings are also coming from people who want a unique or unusual holiday that they will never forget.”

Somerset has over 500 medieval churches most of which were built with money donated following the Black Death to celebrate its passing. For more information on the Oberammergau holidays contact 01934 415000.