Bavaria is well known for its beer, lush countryside and extraordinary castles. However, nestled in a green valley at the base of the Bavarian Alps 85 kms south of Munich, the little Bavarian village of Oberammeragau, is best known for its world famous, ten-yearly Passion Play, an event which will take place between May 15 and October 3 in 2010.
Passion Play at Oberammeragau
It all began during the 17th century, when the citizens of Oberammergau, gathered together to discuss the deaths of almost 100 members of the Oberammergau community from the terrible Bubonic Plague which was raging through Europe. It was at this time that the villagers chose to make an eternal promise, that if God would spare them from further deaths and from war and poverty, that in thanks they would perform a play depicting the life and the suffering of Jesus. This long standing commitment is still being upheld by the village community to-day. In 2010 the play will be performed over 100 times and thousands of villagers will take part in the performances which are now a world-renowned theatrical event, each lasting almost 7 hours and culminating in Christ’s Crucifixion.
A few minutes drive south of Oberammergau is the quaint little hamlet of Ettal which is dominated by the local Benedictine abbey, founded in the 14th century by King Ludwig of Bavaria. The Abbey of Ettal is still occupied to-day by a large and thriving community of Benedictine monks who, as part of their motto Ora et Labora (Pray and work) own and operate the Klosterhotel Ludwig der Bayer, a comfortable 4-star hotel for visitors and tourists which stands opposite the main abbey building. The monks also run a boarding school and a publishing company and other activities include brewing the popular Ettaler Klosterhofbiere (Ettal Monastery beer) which is served in the hotel’s two excellent restaurants, a tavern and a summer beer-garden. The monks also make a variety of liqueurs.
The Hotel Ludwig der Bayer has 70 guestrooms and suites (including single rooms from €59.00) each with a private bathroom, TV and hairdryer and some with balconies. Also on the property is a large Bavarian style block of 30 self-contained apartments which are ideal for groups and families. A tennis court, indoor swimming pool and gym are located in the hotel. A beauty salon, sauna and spa are on-site and the hotel is a popular winter destination for cross-country skiers. The hotel is in an ideal location for an active holiday – winter or summer. Bicycles can be hired and it is only 28kms to Schloss Neuschwanstein, the legendary Castle of King Ludwig II.
Ettal Monastery in Winter
From €94,00 per person (double or twin)
Apartments from €55.00 per person per night
Klosterhotel Ludwig der Bayer, Kaiser-Ludwig-Platz 10-12, D-82488 Ettal, Germany
A replica of the much photographed castle Neuschwanstein can also be seen at Disneyworld where it is known as Cinderella’s Castle. The king also built Schoss Linderhof which is 11kms from Ettal. Both Neuschwanstein and Linderhof are situated on the route of Germany’s Romantic Road while Ludwig’s third castle, Schloss Herrenchiemsee, stands on an island in Lake Chiemsee (170 kms north-west of Schwangau-Horn). Schloss Herrenchiemsee and was originally designed to resemble the Palace of Versailles in France, but was never completed. Germany’s romantic Road commences at Würzburg in the north and tracks approximately 380kms south to the final castle, Schloss Neuschwanstein.
Visitors to Schloss Neuschwanstein can purchase entry tickets from the booth located below the castle in the village of Hohenschwangau. It takes approximately 30 minutes to walk to the castle from here and it is also possible to take a bus or a horse-drawn carriage to the main entrance. Parking facilities are available in Hohenschwangau. Save queuing and book your tickets online. Guided tours of the castle are held regularly and Schloss Neuschwansterin is Germany’s most popular tourist attraction.
The Tegelberg cable car services skiers and hikers (and sightseers) and departs from the outskirts of Füssen, near Schwangau-Horn traveling up over the valley and past Schloss Neuschwanstein (great photo opportunity) and on to the top of the mountain. The views are spectacular as is the downhill skiing in winter. Many of the ski trails are lit in the evenings.
If castles are your scene you could consider staying closer to Schloss-Neuschwanstein. A small, 3- star, family run hotel with an enviable reputation and a great location happens to be quite near the castle. The Hotel Helmerhof in Swangau is situated between Horn and Füssen and has views of the castle which is just 2½kms away by road. From the hotel visitors can experience the same landscapes, views and scenic countryside once enjoyed by King Ludwig. A train station is at Füssen 4 kms from Schwangau and the area is surrounded by lakes, meadows and mountains with the sound of tinkling cow bells never too far away.
Hotel Helmerhof
The Helmerhof staff wear typical Bavarian style uniforms and the hotel guestrooms are large, ensuite and handsomely furnished in Bavarian country style. TV, hairdryer and a separate sitting area is provided. The Helmerhof also has its own farm and diners in the hotel restaurant are treated to a ‘farm to table’ experience. Guests can choose to relax in the sauna, have a massage or take advantage of the range of beauty therapies on offer. Skis and bicycles can be hired, the hotel has a guest laundry and a lift services all floors. Children are catered for and a hearty mountain breakfast is included in the room rate.
From €47.00 per person per night.
Apartments from €51.00 per person per night.
Frauenbergstraße 9, 87645 Schwangau-Horn
Trish Clark is author of Good Night and God Bless: A Guide to Convent and Monastery Accommodation in Europe, Vols I and II, both published by Hidden Spring, an imprint of Paulist Press NJ. She writes a monthly column for wanderingeducators.com as the European Accommodation Editor. You can find her at http://goodnightandgodbless.com/
Feature photo: Dining area, Hotel Helmerhof