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German Information Center
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Washington DC, 2007-1998

Oberammergau Passion Plays 2010

In 2010 the Passion Plays will be performed again in the mountain village of Oberammergau, Germany. We have 5 sets of 40 tickets each available (compare below). Great seats. Deposits paid. We would like to offer your church exclusively one complete set of tickets.

Of course, you do not want to take your congregation to Europe for just one or two overnights. You would want them to experience more. For such a tour, we have a great suggestion: an in depth and fun study tour of Martin Luther and the reformation. Because this is our area of expertise - and our passion. Below you will find a prototype Luther Passion Tour as we envisage it.

You have full control over the details of the itinerary, adding or eliminating what you feel is best for your group. You will be dealing with us directly in all aspects of the land package, and we are open to any and all special wishes you may have. As for the flights, you can arrange these directly with an airline of your choice, or use a travel agent in your area. Whichever way - this will be the way to offer your group the best possible experience at the distinctly best price.

Please contact us for more information. We will send you further material including a list of references in the USA. We would be delighted to serve you. Questions? Please fire away...

These are the dates for which we hold tickets:           

 

Performance date Overnights in Oberammergau Up-to-date Current Status Sunday June 6 2 Sold to bus company in Bonn Friday July 2 1 reserved for St. Mark Lutheran Church, Dunedin, FL Friday July 30 1 available Friday August 27 1 reserved for Immanuel Lutheran Church, Seymour, IN Friday September 10 1 available

Day 1  Wednesday – Flight to Europe

Departure from the USA and overnight flight to Europe.

Day 2  Thursday –  Arrival Frankfurt – Worms – Heidelberg – 1^st overnight

Arrival at Frankfurt Airport in the morning. Your Eng­lish speaking tour guide and your bus driver are waiting to welcome you to Germany. Board your  private deluxe motor coach that will be with you for the entire trip.Cold and hot drinks, a PA and radio/ tape/ CD system, air conditioning, a bathroom… it’s all on board.

It is not unfitting that the first stopover on this trip should be in the city of Worms [62km] –the very city that played such a huge role in the life of Martin Luther. While none of the places connected with the imperial diet of 1521 is left today, we intend to take you on a visit to the majestic Romanesque Cathedral. We’re sure Martin did the same as he arrived in the city that was intended to be his downfall, yet became a symbol of victory. His personal victory… but even more so, the victory of truth.

We continue to the  beautiful city of Heidelberg [111km] where we intend to take you on a walk up to the “Student Prince” castle towering over the city. You’ll also get to walk across the Old Bridge and stroll along the Hauptstrasse  (Main Street) for a while - and maybe have a lunch snack if you want.

In the early afternoon we’ll be on the Autobahn for approx. 3 hours – which will give you a chance to take a cat nap while we get you to your first hotel in the area of Biberach an der Riss [359km].

An organised dinner is part of your package tonight – and as always we’ll try and offer you an authentic and tasty meal in a typical local restaurant. Please note that drinks (other than tap water which we always try to organize - most of the time successfully) are not included in the tour price and must be paid to the waitress individually.

You will be happy to hear that now a time of rest has come - feather beds and all…

Day 3  Friday –  to Oberammergau and Passion Play performance

Note: Wherever you see inserts like [85km] in the text, these tell you the approximate distance we expect to drive up to that point on that day. These figures are accumulative, i.e. if you see something like [324km] behind the city where your hotel is for the day, it tells you the total amount of km covered on that day. 1 km equals ap­proximately 0.63 miles.

Breakfast will be at your hotel – as always on this tour. Most hotels these days offer a rather generous buffet breakfast that far exceeds the once common “continental breakfast” of hard rolls and a bit of jam.

 We depart this morning well in time to get to Oberammergau [150km] as today is Passion Play day. Once you arrive in the village the local organizers will take over. After you have checked into your hotel, and received your official program booklet, you will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. The first part of the play starts at 2.30pm, and if necessary you will be taken to the Passion Play Theatre by a shuttle service organized by the festival committee.

 So the "play of the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ" begins. As always the performance will be in German, but an English translation of the text will be available.  Your seats are in the light blue area marked “1” on the seating plan on the left.

During a 3 hour intermission you will be served dinner in a restaurant in Oberammergau, and you also have free admission to the village museum. Then at the fall of dusk the second half of the play starts, which will last until about 10.30pm. If necessary you will again use the shuttle service to get back to your hotel.

Day 4  Saturday –  Neuschwanstein Castle – Rothenburg o.T.

After breakfast you will be picked up again by your permanent guide and your driver. We would not like to leave the area without showing you one of the most spectacular castles the world has ever seen: Neuschwanstein [43km].Be prepared for one of the highlights of your trip (and a brisk walk up the hill) – this is the famous "wedding cake" castle built by a king who - some say - was mad ...  or maybe he was just very sad? Decide for yourself - see the inside of this breathtaking Schloss on a guided tour.

We’ll now travel north for just under 3 hours, in order to get to the city of Rothenburg [296km]. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes - this is cobblestone day! Upon arrival, your guide will take you on a walk that will include a stroll high up along the city wall. You’ll see the old castle area and catch a romantic view of the lovely Tauber river valley. And we’ll take you into the church and will show you the Holy Blood altar, one of the most remarkable and wonderful pieces of woodcarving that has ever been created. After the guided walk the city is at your fingertips: watch the master draught clock in the market square… take a break in a sidewalk café and let the world pass by… and  of course Käthe Wohlfahrt's year-round Christmas Store is waiting to be checked out by you. 

Dinner and overnight will be at a cosy guesthouse in a nearby village

Day 5  Sunday –  Eisenach and visit to Wartburg Castle

This morning we would like to offer you to visit a church service en route. Further details will be advised.  ● We continue our journey north, and the city of Eisenach [225 km] is our main destination. This is one of the major Luther sights: here little Martin spent 3 years as a student, finding food and shelter in the house of Ursula Cotta. The house is still there today. Later, on his way to and from the crucial imperial diet of Worms, he preached in the local church, the Georgenkirche. Most importantly, however, it is here that he became the “victim” of a fabricated hold-up, and was taken as a “prisoner” to the proudest castle far and wide, theWartburg. Under the protection of the local prince he spent some 10 months as “Junker Jörg” in this “mighty fortress” which later reappeared in a hymn sung still today, as you well know. His greatest achievement during that time was to translate the New Testament from the

Greek into German – something so bold it was considered obscene by many. We will visit the castle to see the room where Martin Luther lived and worked, but you will also get a good idea about the castle’s importance to overall German history. We continue our journey to the city of Arnstadt [280km] for dinner and overnight.

 

Day 6 Monday - Bach in Arnstadt - Erfurt Augustinian Monastery & city

The city of Arnstadt was first mentioned as early as 704 and is thereby the oldest German city outside of the territory that the Roman Empire controlled. It has a beautifully restored Old City, which is restricted to pedestrian traffic. The musical genius Johann Sebastian Bach began his career here, being employed as cantor to what is now called the „Bach Church“. Most Bach scholars believe his well-known "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" was written here between 1703 and 1709. With any luck we’ll get a chance this morning to visit the church where the little known “young and wild” Bach played, taught and composed music for some years before he moved on.

Our main destination today is the city of Erfurt [27km], a city closely linked to Martin Luther. In his early years, Luther attended the local university, which after all ranks among the three oldest universities in Germany. After he had taken a vow to become a monk, he entered the Augustinian Monastery and lived there for 6 years (1505-1511). You will see his very cell. It is also here that he celebrated his first mass, and the story is told that he felt so unworthy he hesitated for a long time to begin the ceremony, sitting on a stone bench to the side of the altar. Also that bench is still there today, and during  your visit to the monastery and church you may sit on it, too.  A good preparation for this visit would be to watch the movie “Luther” (2003, Joseph Fiennes, Sir Peter Ustinov and others), as many  scenes were shot here on location.

One of the most curious sights in Erfurt is a bridge by the name of Krämerbrücke, which is completely covered with houses, nowadays containing small stores offering artistic things. Of course you’ll walk across it. As we further explore the city you will visit the unique ensemble of two churches high up on a hill, the Cathedral of Mary and the Severi church. Walk up the vast outside staircase – a sea of steps so large it is regularly used for theatrical performances – e.g. to perform the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar”, or in more recent years, even a new musical on Martin Luther.

Return to Arnstadt for dinner and second overnight.

Day 7  Tuesday –  Eisleben and onto Wittenberg

This morning we continue to the little city of Eisleben [102km], which is sometimes referred to as the “Bethlehem and the Jerusalem of the reformer”. Upon arrival we’ll meet our local guide who will take us around the city. Our first port of call will be the house where little Martin was

born on November 10, 1483. The next day he was baptised in the nearby church of St. Petri-Pauli, where we will have the pleasure and privilege this afternoon to celebrate a rededication baptism around the very baptismal font where the new born boy was named after the saint of that day – Martin. We hope that we will be joined by the resident pastors Claudia Bergmann and/or Scott Moore.

By some strange twist of fate he returned to Eisleben as an old man, his purpose being to settle a dispute within the ruling family of the area. After three weeks he finally succeeded; one day later, on February 18, 1546, he died. We’ll visit a building that until recently was thought to be Luther’s death place for centuries, is referred to in this way, and is indeed a place devoted to his memory. We’ll also take a look around the church where he gave his last sermon, and where his body was laid out before returning home to Wittenberg.

Mid afternoon we continue our journey to the city of Wittenberg [232km], thus more or less precisely following the reformer’s last journey on this earth. Our next two overnights in Wittenberg will be, we hope, at the very centrally located hotel which in the 1500s used to be an inn that Martin Luther used for a (probably not always) quiet drink many many times. It's on record! There is no organized dinner tonight – but your guide will point out some tried and tested restaurants nearby.  

Day 8  Wednesday –  Extensive visits in Wittenberg – Luther meal

Wittenberg was without a doubt the spiritual center of the Lutheran reformation, and the entire day is devoted to the city. Please be ready to start walking at 8:45am with your tour guide from the hotel lobby. Our local guide Katja Köhler will start her tour at 9:00am with the “Luther House”: the reformer lived here from 1508, and was joined by his wife Katharina in 1525.

She gave him a gate as a present for his 57^th birthday, which you can still see today, and which shows the Luther rose, the coat of arms of the reformer. Katharina and Martin kept an open house in Wittenberg, inviting students, professors and visitors alike, probably developing the prototype of a protestant pastor’s home which still has its influence today. The living room, it is claimed, is pretty much in its original state… so you’ll get a good idea what life may have been like in the 1500s.

Other sights will include the Schlosskirche (castle church) where according to tradition Luther nailed his 95 theses to the entrance door, intending to invite to a scholarly discussion, but in fact sparking off what is probably the most significant paradigm change the Christian world has ever seen. Inside the church, visit the graves of Martin Luther and Phillip Melanchthon. Also visit the Stadtkirche (parish church) where Luther preached countless sermons; the city hall; and the extensive property of the Cranach family of painters.

The afternoon is free for you to explore Wittenberg on your own, but more activities may be offered. At 7:00pm our very special dinner starts to unfold: 

What Luther savored… 

A “Luther Meal” at the Stadtpalais Hotel, prepared in the authentic style of the 16^th century.

As main course of the “Luther Menu” the chef serves a meat platter, which includes cured pork (piglet), stewed beef in a herbal brew and roasted leg of chicken. It is accompanied by a hearty dish of mashed peas and freshly baked farmhouse bread as well as a choice of vegetables from Katharina von Bora’s garden: carrots, celery, white cabbage and parsnip. Small loafs of apple pastry with honey are served as a dessert to top off this historical culinary delight.

                                        Guten Appetit!

Second overnight at your hotel in Wittenberg.

Day 9  Thursday –  Torgau and Leipzig – back west

It is often said that behind a great man there is always a great woman. This is certainly true for the woman in Martin Luther’s life: Katharina von Bora. She is an interesting person, keeping invisible in the background for the most part, yet smart, courageous and highly influential. In order to find out more about Katharina we’d like to take you on a visit to the nearby town of Torgau [50km] this morning, the last of the “Luther cities”. The city was much appreciated by Luther himself (He said, “The buildings of Torgau by far surpass those of antiquity in beauty, even the temple of Salomon was made of wood only”), and as the city has basically retained its 16^th century face you’ll experience it just like Martin himself. After her husband’s death Katharina continued to live in Wittenberg for 6 years until in 1552 the pestilence broke out in the city. She fled here, only to die in the same year.

The place where she lived for these few months, is now a small museum devoted to her, which we will visit. You’ll also get to see her headstone in the Marien Church where she’s buried. We’ll also visit the castle church, which was consecrated by the reformer himself in 1544 and which is generally considered to be the very first newly built protestant church in the world. ● Mid-morning we continue to Leipzig [103km], one of the most important cities in this part of Germany. First and foremost, Leipzig is the city of Johann Sebastian Bach, musical genius who worked as cantor at the Thomas Church for more than 25 years. The boys choir that he trained and led is still in high demand all over the world. When talking about Leipzig, other attractions come to mind: The Old City Hall (Altes Rathaus), one of the nicest secular renaissance buildings; a café by the name of “Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum“ (Arabian coffee tree), one of the oldest café in Europe; and – surprisingly – the massive railway station which has in recent years been converted to one of the most modern and progressive shopping malls in Germany.

In the early afternoon we’ll continue west along the Autobahn to the city of Alsfeld [393 km]. At our hotel a grand farewell dinner is waiting for us before you spend your last overnight in Germany.

Day 10  Friday –  to Frankfurt and departure

The transfer to Frankfurt airport [85 km] will take just under one hour – it is now time to say goodbye, or rather "Auf Wiedersehen" to your guide and your driver. We hope that this tour was the trip of your lifetime, and will bless you for many years to come. Have a safe journey home, and thank you for your confidence!

Tour map “Luther and the Passion Plays”

Total distance covered approx. 1,800km = 1,119 miles

tour extension #1

“Genuine Luther descendants in a genuine little city”

What’s added: One additional overnight in the greater Leipzig area on day 7. To be joined by all members of the touring group – no part bookings possible.

The logistics: On day seven you’ll take a little detour to an old and very charming little city that is known for its connection to Martin and Katie Luther and their descendants. You will spend a full day here to enjoy a special program sponsored by the local church. After an extra overnight the original program will continue by going to Eisleben and Wittenberg.

Details:Yes, Luther descendants are indeed still around today… some 500 years and 13 generations later! Since the 1920s, extensive research has been done into the Luther family tree - and what became of the “Luthers” over the centuries. Nowadays, well over 100 direct or “sideline” descendants are known in the world, and two of these live in the city we’re visiting today.  Not just that – but these “Lutherites” have their own information center and library here, too. In the next 24 hours, a fascinating program will unfold:

Upon arrival we’ll have a welcome coffee in the charming little café of the parish church. · Then, during a guided walk of the city you will learn that Martin himself was frequently here on business, and all male Luther descendants lived and worked here at one time or another. · You’ll also be taken on an adventurous march through the “underground” world of the city – the fascinating “2 storey down” basements of the medieval houses. Learn why they were essential in the middle ages, and why a great deal of them were connected into a labyrinth deep down in the ground. · The parish church has among its treasures a first print poster of Luther’s 95 theses that you need to see – it’s one of only three left in the world today. · Also on the agenda is a visit to the caste area with its impressive Cathedral; the crypt therein that truly deserves its name; and the “Lutherite’s” library with its interesting collection.

In the evening you’ll share a meal with all the nice people who are contributing  to making your visit a unique experience. Some artistic surprises will be waiting for you, too: maybe some 16^th century dancing; maybe some singing; and last but not least, the “Luther Grandchild”, herself a trained actress, will be reading from a speech that her grandmother of 12 generations ago, Katharina von Bora, gave her husband Martin in no uncertain terms -  or at least could have… using a bit of poetic license.

 Luther grandchild (middle) with a couple from Tennessee.

tour extension #2

“Dresden – like phoenix from the ashes”

What’s added: Visit of Dresden with one additional overnight on day 9 in the area. To be joined by all members of the touring group – no part bookings possible.

The logistics: On day 9 we will start from Wittenberg as planned, and go to Torgau.  From there, however, we will skip Leipzig and go to the city of Dresden.

Details: From Torgau, we continue our journey on country roads for another 70km before we join the Autobahn A13 for another 40km to get to Dresden [160km]. As we enter the city, we will take a short stop at the little known Pfund dairy  (www.pfunds.de) – probably the most beautiful dairy in the world. Admire the beautifully hand-painted Villeroy & Boch tiles, maybe try a glass of buttermilk, or perhaps pick up a piece of milk soap in a replica packet from 1890. – We then continue to downtown Dresden, and your tour guide will take you to the newly opened Frauenkirche, which until recently was just a deplorable heap of rubble left over from WWII. Hear of the tragic story how the building was destroyed, and of the colossal task to put a church together again piece by piece, using many of the fragments from the original building. As you continue to walk, admire the prince elector’s castle with the famous “procession of princes” made of Meissen tiles, see the castle church, and walk across past the Semper opera house to the beautiful baroque Zwinger gardens.

Our walk will end in the busy and attractive shopping area, and you will have some hours to explore Dresden on your own. We recommend you use the time also for a visit to the „Grünes Gewölbe“ – the unique and breathtaking „Green Vault“ treasury, which - we think-  puts similar collections like the crown jewels in London to shame.

tour extension #3

“Berlin – a capital experience”

What’s added: Visit of Berlin with guided tour and free time. To be joined by all members of the touring group – no part bookings possible.

The logistics:This extension can be done in two ways: (a) Your stay at the hotel in Wittenberg will be extended by one overnight. You start out in the morning with your touring bus and will arrive in the capital of Germany at approximately 10am. At the end of the day you return to the city of Luther. (b) You will spend one (or more) additional overnight(s) in Berlin or the area, and go back to the western part of Germany from there. We recommend the (b) version only with two or more overnights in Berlin; otherwise it makes much more sense (and is also much easier on your purse) to return to Wittenberg.

Details: Upon arrival in the capital of the reunited Germany, a local guide will join and  take you on a ½ day tour of Ber­lin: Major sights will be featured such as the Reichstag parliament building, the Gedächtnis church, Berlin cathedral and the Brandenburg Gate, in front of which President Reagan famously demanded, “Mr. Gorbatchew, tear down this wall”. But we will also try and find tra­ces of the city's recent history, take a fresh look at Checkpoint Charlie, and pay a visit to Berlin's "Lower East Side" - Kreuzberg. The balance of the afternoon is free for indivi­dual activities: Maybe you want to visit the fascinating new Jewish museum, stroll along the Ku-Damm boulevard, or check out the famous KADEWE department store – the largest of its kind in Germany - with its breathtaking deli department.

If you are an individual looking to join a group or have a small or larger group of people who would like to join one of the tours, please either contact:

Buschmann Concept GmbH
Call us toll-free in Germany at 1-888-813-0575
(best before 3pm your time)
ulibuschmann@travel-into-germany.com