Things To Do in Oberammergau
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Oberammergau Attractions
The citizens of Oberammergau have a long tradition of painting frescoes on their houses, an ages-old approach to curb appeal known as Lüftmalerei. Some are based on scenes from “Hansel and Gretel,” “Little Red Riding Hood” (at Ettaler Strasse 48 and 41, respectively) and other fairy tales, while others depict beer hall joviality and other typical snippets from Bavarian life. The most famous, though, is a reverential rendering of Jesus coming before Pilate in the frescoes on Pilatushaus, at Ludwig-Thoma-Strasse 10 (the headquarters of a carvers’ and artisans’ workshop).
For alpine experiences and great views, whisk up Berg Laber, the mountain that rises to the east of the town, and Berg Kolben, to the west. The 10-minute ascent up Berg Laber via an enclosed cable-gondola costs 17€ per person (tel. 08822/4770; www.laber-bergbahn.com) for a single trip, but if you’re outdoorsy, you might prefer the open-air ride up Berg Kolben via chairlift (tel. 08822/4760; www.kolbensesselbahn.com) for 9.50€ round trip. The Berg Kolben cable car runs from December through October, and the chairlift is open for rides from spring into November but requires lift and run passes during the busy ski season.
- Religious Site
Kloster Ettal
Just south of Oberammergau, the vast Benedictine monastery of Ettal sits at the heart of the same-named village in a high, narrow alpine valley. It’s a surprisingly grandiose church to be standing in such a relatively isolated spot. Founded in 1330 by Emperor Ludwig IV of Bavaria, it… - Performing Arts
Passiontheater
Oberammergau put on its first Passionspiele (Passion Play) in 1634 to give thanks for being spared from the plague, and the townsfolk have been staging the same 16-act drama, depicting Christ’s journey to the Cross, almost ever since. The whole town participates, with a cast of 2,000… - Religious Site
Schloss Linderhof
In 1869, King Ludwig II transformed a former royal hunting lodge into a small, dazzling-white château meant to resemble the Petit Trianon at Versailles. The ornate exterior is restrained when compared to the interior, which is a riot of Neo-Rococo flashiness, glittering with gold…
Oberammergau Shopping
Shopping for Woodcarvings
Oberammergau's woodcarvings are among the most sought after in the Germanic world, and many an example has graced the mantelpieces and shelves of homes around the globe. Most subjects are religious, deriving directly from 14th-century originals; however, to cater to the demands of modern visitors, there's been an increased emphasis lately on secular subjects, such as drinking or hunting scenes. Competition is fierce for these woodcarvings, many of which are made in hamlets and farmhouses throughout the region. Know before you buy that even some of the most expensive "handmade" pieces might have been roughed in by machine before being finished off by hand.
The Schnitzschule (Woodcarving School; tel. 08822/3542) has conditions of study that may remind you of the severity of the medieval guilds. Students who labor over a particular sculpture are required to turn it in to the school, where it's either placed on permanent exhibition or sold during the school's once-a-year sell-off, usually over a 2-day period in July.
Baur Anton, Dorfstrasse 27 (tel. 08822/821; www.holzschnitzerei-tonibaur.de), has the most sophisticated inventory of woodcarvings. The shop employs a small cadre of carvers who create works inspired by medieval originals. The outgoing and personable sales staff is quick to admit that the forms of many of the pieces are roughed in by machine, but most of the intricate work is completed by hand. Pieces are crafted from maple, pine, or linden (basswood). Prices start at 9€. Carvings are in their natural grain, stained, or polychromed (some of the most charming), and in some instances, are partially gilded.
