"A very beautiful, impressive and inspiring church, well maintained. The sculptures, the paintings, the upstair floors - they are all wonderful. We visited twice and would recommend it to everybody"

Cristi D

"It is the Catholic parish church of Oberammergau in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen District (Bavaria), is an important example of the southern German Baroque. It was built from 1735 to 1749. The sculptures were created by Franz Xaver Schmädl, the pictures and frescoes by Matthäus Günther.

A pre-Romanesque predecessor church was probably built as early as the ninth century, possibly replacing an even older wooden church. At this time, the Welfe Ethiko withdrew here with twelve companions to a life in a monastic community. In 1167, the Kempten monastery was given twelve courtyards with the right to present themselves through the church. In 1295 and 1362 they became the property of the Augustinian monastery in Rottenbuch. All pastors of Oberammergau can be completely documented from 1432 to the secularization of the monastery in 1802; they all were Augustinian Canons.

The Oberammergau parish was founded in the 12th century by the Rottenbuch canon monastery, with which it remained pastorally connected until secularization. The first church was replaced by a Gothic building in the High Middle Ages. This had become so dilapidated at the beginning of the 18th century that the new baroque building was tackled.

The middle picture of the high altar shows the Mother of God as the heavenly helper of those who ask for intercession and contribute gifts. It is replaced by a figure of the risen Christ during Easter and the Passion Play. The statues of the apostles Peter and Paul as well as the outside of St. Joseph and Joachim with their attributes are remarkable. The Lamb of God is enthroned on the book with seven seals above the tabernacle .

The two side altars on the choir arch are dedicated to the theme of redemption through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The left altar shows in a rare representation God's decision to salvation as an "inner conversation" of the Trinity. The saints Martin and Gregory the miracle worker appear at the side. The right altar shows Christ on the cross -- this cross is considered to be the one in front of which the Oberammergau residents took their vows of the Passion Play in the year of the plague in 1633 -- with Mary and John and, on the outside, the "good thief" Dismas and Mary Magdalene .

The altars in the side extensions are dedicated to the holy clan (left; altarpiece by Günther) and Saint Anthony of Padua (right; picture by Johann Jakob Zeiller ).

It's a very gorgeous sanctuary to say the least (photos)."

Michael Nish

"Beautiful hidden gem in Obermergau! Loved the architecture of this catholic parish church! It was built between 1735–1749 according to the plans by Joseph Schmuzer. It has a main and four side altars, rich stucco work, large-scale ceiling and wall frescoes, a pulpit and an organ. Loved the art on the altar and the graveyard!"

Shreejith Krishnan