The tradition of the world-famous Oberammergau Passion Play began with a vow made during the Thirty Years' War. In Oberammergau, 80 people fell victim to the plague. In the hope of God's help, the community leaders vowed in 1633 to "hold the Passion Play every ten years" if the village was freed from the plague. The plague came to a standstill and in 1634 the people of Oberammergau honoured their promise for the first time.

The first performances took place on a simple wooden scaffolding in the cemetery next to the parish church; since 1830, the site of today's theatre has served as the venue. The stage, repeatedly remodelled and technically improved, was given its present form in 1930. The approximately 4,800 seats were covered in 1900, and the tiers rising towards the back allow a good view of the stage from every seat. The artistic unity of text, music, stage design and costumes was due to the fact that, as woodcarvers, the people of Oberammergau have always had a great artistic flair for colours and shapes. It is the unique continuity of performances over more than three centuries that has made the Oberammergau Passion Play the largest and most famous in the world. This is only possible thanks to the willingness of the entire village to re-enact the story of the suffering and death of Jesus of Nazareth every ten years in a collective effort as a story of hope and redemption.