Local Guide

Oberammergau

Oberammergau is a municipality in the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in Bavaria, Germany. The village is home of the world-famous Passion Play. This play is held every ten years and dates back to 1633, when the village was being devastated by the plague. The village fathers, driven by desperation, took an oath that they would stage a performance of the Passion of Christ every decade if the plague vanished. As the story goes, the village was spared and in 1634 the villagers began to stage the play. The specially built Passion Play Theater can hold 4,800 visitors for the six-hour spectacular event.
Oberammergau also has endless hiking and biking trails, an outstanding indoor/outdoor swimming complex, track & field facilities, a tennis & squash club, and fantastic ski slopes right here in the local area. For more information visit their website below.

Top activities and excursions

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"The Best of Bavaria in 60 Minutes"

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All of the following sights are nestled in the beautiful Bavarian Alps and can be reached from Oberammergau within 60 minutes.

© Ammergauer Alpen GmbH, Kienberger

Passion Play Theatre

The open air stage of the Passion Play Theatre attracts with top-class events;
Tickethotline:
+49 (0) 88 22/9 45 88 88
www.passionstheater.de

© Ammergauer Alpen GmbH, de Paly

Abbey of Ettal

Emperor Ludwig of Bavaria fulfilled his vow made in exchange for his safe return to Bavaria and founded the Benedictine Abbey Ettal in 1330. Among others a boarding school, a istillery and a brewery belong to the abbey.
Tel.: +49 (0) 88 22/7 40
www.abtei.kloster-ettal.de

© Markt Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Historical Ludwigstraße in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Still today the historical Ludwigstraße in Partenkirchen, with its small alleys and colorful houses, possess the charm of the former Venetian trade route.
www.gapa.de

© Ammergauer Alpen GmbH

Pilgrimage Church of Wies

The Pilgrimage Church of Wies (Pilgrimage Church of the Scourged Saviour in the Meadow or in the Wies) begs the visitor to marvel, to observe services or to attend concerts in the summer.
Tel.: +49 (0) 88 62 /9 32 93-0
www.wieskirche.de

© Ammergauer Alpen GmbH, Neubauer

Alpine Scenery

The Ammergau Alps are well-known for the combination of unspoiled mountains with cultural treasures. They are the largest connected nature reserve in Bavaria and impress with numerous natural beauties.

© Bayerische Zugspitzbahn Bergbahn AG

Zugspitze (2.962 m)

Germany’s highest mountain and part of the Wetterstein Mountain Range in the northern Limestone Alps. The breathtaking views and the roundtrip with the cogwheel train, glacier cable car and "Eibsee-Seilbahn" cable car are a highlight.
Tel: +49 (0) 88 21/7 97-0
www.zugspitze.de

© Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung, Brandl

Neuschwanstein Castle

The setting of Neuschwanstein could not be more idyllic. Placed in front of the Alps, Neuschwanstein is a better recreation of an ideal medieval castle but equipped with all modern technical features of the time of King Ludwig II.
Ticketcenter:
+49 (0) 83 62 /9 30 83-0
www.neuschwanstein.de

© Grandhotel Neuschwanstein GmbH

Hohenschwangau Castle

1832 – 1836: Crown prince Maximilian of Bavaria had the ruin of Schwanstein Castle being rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style. This is where King Ludwig II spent his childhood.
Ticketcenter:
+49 (0) 83 62/9 30 83-0
www.hohenschwangau.de

© Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung

Linderhof Palace

The Linderhof Palace is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and the only one which he lived to see completed. It is considered to be the favorite palace of "Fairy Tale King" Ludwig II.
Ticketcenter:
+49 (0) 88 22/92 03-0
www.schlosslinderhof.de

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is actually two connecting towns, Garmisch and Partenkirchen. The two towns were united for the 1936 Winter Olympics and are now officially known by the single name, Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Partenkirchen was first documented in the year 257 as the Roman way station "Parthanum" on the road from Rome to Augsburg and flourished during the Middle Ages as a portion of the major Orient trade route. This winter and summer resort lies in the Loisach Valley surrounded by the Bavarian Alps. From the valley floor at 812 meters (2,640 feet), one has a clear view of the Wefferstein mountain range, which includes the Alpspitze, Waxenstein, and the Zugspitze. The Zugspitze peaks at 2,994 meters (9,731 feet), making it Germany's tallest mountain. To the northwest are the Ammergauer Alps and to the northeast are the Ester Mountains.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is considered to be the winter sports capital of Germany. There are over 40 ski-lifts, 11 cable cars, and a cog-wheel train service to more than 68 miles of ski runs, ranging in ability from easy to difficult. The Olympic Ski Stadium features four ski jumps and the roofed Olympic Ice Stadium houses three rinks, with the capacity to seat 10,000 people. There are 83 miles of cross-country ski trails in the area and plenty of thrilling "rodel" (sled) runs. For the summer sports enthusiast the Garmisch area features 186 miles of alpine footpaths, several modern indoor-outdoor swimming pools, and plenty of alpine lakes. Within walking distance, there are many rustic "Huttes" (huts) nestled throughout the surrounding mountains where the tired hiker can sit and enjoy the beautiful scenery - while sipping a cold "Weiss Bier."
Garmisch is home of the United States Army Garrison (USAG) Garmisch; the George C. Marshall Center for European Security Studies; and the Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC). The variety of recreational activities and facilities will make your assignment at the NATO School an enjoyable and lasting experience.