The early history of Ammergau is largely unknown. The river name Ammer (meaning water) suggests that the Celts were present at times. The excavations that took place years ago on the southern one Döttenbichl were carried out, recently promoted sensational finds to light. In this sanctuary or nearby fought in 15 BC. Roman soldiers fought a battle with the local population. Accordingly, the Ammertal was not unpopulated as assumed, but inhabited by the Alpine tribe of the Rhaetians.
Towards the end of the 9th century, the name Ammergau first appeared as a name for a region under the rule of the Guelphs. The place name “Ambergove” can first be identified around 1150. The Ammergau stands out clearly when Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian in 1330 Ettal Monastery founded and endowed with all its goods from the Konradin heritage. He gives the people of Oberammergau special privileges with inheritance and building rights on their estates.
In 1563 the Ammergau carvers received their own craft regulations from the Abbot of Ettal. While at that time sales largely took place locally, in the 18th century several Oberammergau publishing houses with branches all over Europe emerged. From there, so-called Kraxenträger took over the sale of the goods as peddlers. The carving art became the main occupation.
Another industry is air painting, the one with the Oberammergau native painter Franz Seraph Zwinck (1748 - 1792) reached its peak. With him we found an artistic personality who perfectly combined the art of representation and technology.
Zwinck thus became a formative figure Lüftl painter Oberammergau and the surrounding area.
In the 19th century, Oberammergau became world famous with its Passion plays, which have been performed every ten years since 1633 after the plague vow in 1634. There were slight shifts due to various wars. From 1680 transition to performances in the decade.
The Oberammergau Historical Association has further information:
