Viking Announces Two New Passion Play River Itineraries For 2030

Viking has revealed two new river voyages for 2030, which will offer passengers the rare opportunity to experience the renowned Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany. For nearly 400 years, the production has been put on once per decade.

With departure dates from May through September 2030, the new Oberammergau, Innsbruck & the Rhine and Oberammergau with Salzburg itineraries both provide preferred seating at the 43rd Passion Play. They also allow time for exploring Bavaria and destinations along the Rhine and Danube rivers, respectively.

History of the Passion Play

The Passion Play began not as a production, but as a plea to God during the 17th century. As the Thirty Years’ War and the bubonic plague devastated central Europe, for a time the remote village of Oberammergau was spared from the plague due to its strict quarantine. According to legend, in 1633 a homesick villager slipped past the guards hoping to reunite with his family. In doing so, he unknowingly brought the plague with him, and death swept through the community.

Faced with this crisis, the desperate villagers gathered and made a vow: if God would spare them from the plague, they would perform a play depicting the life and suffering of Christ every ten years. After making this promise, the village’s death rate is said to have miraculously ceased. True to their word, the first performance took place in 1634, and has taken place every 10 years since.

Itinerary Highlights

Oberammergau, Innsbruck & the Rhine

This 13-day Amsterdam to Munich voyage is along the Middle Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site lined with castles, cathedrals, and medieval towns. Passengers can savor the culinary traditions of the Alsace region and journey to Innsbruck, where landscapes are framed by alpine peaks. After experiencing the Passion Play in Oberammergau, the voyage ends with an overnight stay in Bavaria’s historic capital of Munich.

Oberammergau with Salzburg

This 12-day Oberammergau to Budapest voyage starts with the Passion Play, moving on to historic Bavaria and the charming Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and the setting for The Sound of Music. As passengers sail the Danube River, they’ll experience scenery and destinations in Germany, Austria, and Hungary.