Famous Oberammergau Passion Play:

Oberammergau is famous for its Passion Play which was first performed in 1634. In the middle of the 30 Years War, after months of suffering and dying from the the "Black Death," or plague, surviving villagers swore an oath to perform a "Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ" every ten years.  The Play, originally made up of just actors from the village itself, has grown to a stage production comprised of almost 2,000 performers, singers, musicians and stage technicians.  The Play is performed in the 5,000 seat Passion Play Theater with it´s open air stage. The Passion Play is only performed once every 10 years. If you visit at a different time, it is still possible to take a tour of the theatre.

Sights in Oberammergau and surrounding area:

Oberammergau is nature, Lüftlmalerei, woodcarvings and art in the Pilatushaus and Museum, and the Passions theater.
The small Bavarian village Oberammergau in Southern Germany is internationally famous for its Passion Play (Passionsspiele) generally performed every ten years. In the other nine years, the town is mostly visited for its lovely location, painted house facades, and woodcarvings.
Lüftlmalerei
Oberammergau has a lovely natural location at the northern reaches of the Bavarian Alps. Mountain backdrops, forested hills, as well as rolling green meadows can be enjoyed in the direct vicinity of this small town. Many houses and hotels have typical Upper Bavarian architecture – using ample natural wood and balconies filled in summer with blooming geraniums.
Oberammergau is also famous for its numerous buildings with painted facades. These painted facades can be seen on official and religious buildings as well as on hotels and private houses. Religious themes are most popular but the occasional beer hall and fairy tale scenes can also be enjoyed.
For centuries, Oberammergau has been famous in Germany for the variety and artistic quality of its woodcarvings. Traditionally woodcarvings were done by farmers and foresters as a commercial sideline during the long winters but nowadays it is mostly done by fulltime artists. Religious themes are once again the more popular but more secular subjects are not ignored either.
Oberammergau makes an excellent holiday base, especially for drivers although public transportation opens the region to day-trippers from Munich as well. Interesting sights in the immediate region include Garmisch-Partenkirchen with its excellent winter sport facilities, Zugspitze - Germany’s highest mountain, the lovely Rococo Kloster Ettal monastery, King Ludwig’s fantasy castle Schloss Linderhof, and the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage listed Wieskirche (Church in the Meadow).

Artisan Woodcraft:

If you are in Oberammergau, then you want to pick up a wood carving. This is an artisan craft in the town, and you can even learn wood carving at one of the many schools. The main pieces available are crucifixes, but you can also find wooden cuckoo clocks and Bavarian clocks. Bavarian clocks run differently from all other types of clocks.

Schloss Linderhof:

Linderhof Castle is one of the most impressive castles in Germany. King Ludwig II commissioned the construction of three castles during his reign, but it was only in Linderhof Castle that he spent any significant amount of time. Compared to the other of Ludwig's castles Linderhof stands in contrast. Where Neuschwanstein is elegant and tall, perched upon the slopes of the Alps, Linderhof initially started small.
The construction of Linderhof began in 1874 and was completed by 1878. It was the only one of Ludwig's three castles that was ever completely finished
The grounds outside the castle are quite gorgeous featuring terraced gardens. Be on the lookout for some footpaths that can lead to some spectacular views of the castle. Perhaps the single most impressive features outside is the Linderhof castle fountain and the many statues that dot the grounds. The golden statue of Flora and her attendees, located in the middle of the prominent Linderhof castle fountain in front of the castle, will frequently spout water upward of a hundred feet into the air. The flower gardens to either side of the castles Linderhof feature more statues and smaller fountains. An artificial waterfall in the back sends water cascading down into a fountain of Neptune, the Roman God of the Sea. Neptune rides three horses in this statue, and each of his steeds shoots water out of its nose and mouth into the fountain below.

 

Kloster Ettal:

The large monastery are the result of a long historical development and demonstrates one of the main concerns of a Benedictine Abbey: An independent religious community which produces everything needed for life and thus has all the important workshops and undertakings, if possible within the confines of the monastery.
Compared to the large and important monasteries of the Middle Ages in Bavaria Ettal is of relatively recent origin. It owes its foundation to the Duke of Bavaria, at the same time Roman Emperor of the German Nation, Kaiser Louis IVth. The date of the endowment and foundation of Ettal is the 28th of April 1330, and the gift of the emperor for his foundation was the marble statue of the Ettal Madonna on the high altar of the church.
The economic basis of the abbey consists of that which the monks themselves produce and earn as well as of a number of undertakings such as a brewery, the making of liqueur, hotel, and publishing house. Through these activities the large complex of buildings - all of which are used - has to be kept up - for the most part by the monks themselves.

Schloss Neuschwanstein:

The history of Neuschwanstein Castle is quite interesting. Built for King Ludwig II, this fairy-tale castle in southern Germany was intended to be a place where the eccentric ruler could escape from the world. Unfortunately for King Ludwig II, he did not live to see the completion of this spectacular Bavarian abode. He passed away under mysterious circumstances in 1886 at the rather young age of 41.
King Ludwig II certainly left his mark on Germany. The rather popular ruler is largely credited with saving the career of the famous composer, Richard Wagner, for example, and his Schloss Neuschwanstein is one of the country’s most iconic structures. The foundation stone for this glorious castle was laid in 1869, and while the romantic retreat had yet to be finished by 1884, this was when King Ludwig II effectively started moving in. The ruler lived in the castle on an on and off basis, and if you add it all up, he only spent around six months of his life there.
One of the most interesting things about the history of Neuschwanstein is the fact that the castle was intended to be both a place of refuge for King Ludwig II and a structure to honor Richard Wagner. A good friend of Ludwig, Wagner passed away in 1883 and never actually set foot in the castle. Also of considerable interest when it comes to the history of Neuschwanstein is the castle’s beginnings as a tourist attraction. Just six weeks after King Ludwig II died, it was opened to the paying public. Since then, it has grown to become one of the most popular attractions in all of Europe. These days, more than a million people visit Neuschwanstein. Guided tours last approximately 35 minutes, and during the peak June to August tourist season, it can be an especially good idea to get your Neuschwanstein tickets in advance.
As a side note, the nearby Hohenschwangau Castle also deserves a look while in the Bavaria region. It was where King Ludwig II spent a considerable amount of time during his youth and is often paired with Neuschwanstein on many a Bavaria travel itinerary.