Ettal Abbey(Kloster Ettal) was founded on 28 April 1330, Saint Vitalis' day, by Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian in the Graswang valley, in fulfilment of an oath on his return from Italy, on a site of strategic importance on the primary trade route between Italy and Augsburg.

It demonstrates the power of the Catholic Church in Mideaval Times in Europe.

Oberammergau is famous for its Passion Plays that are held every four years, honouring an oath made by its inhabitants should they be spared by the Plague in the early 17^th century.