Pictured - The Last Supper scene from the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany
In 1634, the bubonic plague was sweeping through Europe, claiming thousands of lives and obliterating hundreds of villages.
In the Bavarian region of Germany (about 60 miles southwest of Munich) was the village of Oberammergau. Because of its remote location in the Alps, the residents felt they could protect themselves from the plague by prohibiting outside visitors. But, despite their efforts, 84 people died when a traveling village (homesick for his family) snuck back to Oberammergau, and unwittingly infected the village.
Desperately, the villagers turned to God and vowed that if God would safeguard them from the plague, every 10 years they would re-enact the story of Christ's death and resurrection.
The town was spared, and the tradition of the Oberammergau Passion Play was born. Its first performance was on Pentecost Sunday in 1634.
Today the play is performed on a open stage with seating for 5,000 spectators. Members of the huge cast (there are 1.700 parts) must be Oberammergau natives, or have lived there for 10 years. The production lasts an entire day, with only a three-hour break for lunch, and it performed five times a week.
This year, the 41st passion Play of Oberammergau takes place from May 15th through October 3rd.