Oberammergau Passion Plays
The Oberammergau Passion Plays dates back to the middle of the Thirty Years War. In 1633, after months of suffering from the Bubonic Plague, the people of Oberammergau took a vow to perform the "Play of the Suffering, Dying and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ" every ten years if they were spared. Miraculously from that point on they all survived and true to their promise, the first performance was in 1634.
This simple performance was held in the meadow and acted the villagers. After 1674 they decided to change the date, so as to fall every ten years beginning in 1680. The only time it was not performed was during World War II.