At first glance, it seems to be a community like those found everywhere in southwestern Germany.

But if you follow the Riedbach to the south, this changes abruptly. Because then it can already be seen from afar: the famous open-air stage. Like an enormous bat's wing, its cantilevered wooden roof spans a grandstand that seats no fewer than 2,500 spectators.

Here they are performed every three years, the famous heroic epics. Here, among others, Andreas Hofer defies Napoleon, Robin Hood roams through Sherwood Forest, William Tell ambushes the bailiff Gessler, and the Maid of Orleans leads the French to victory against the English army. The people of Altusried fight for freedom with body and soul. Up to 600 of them volunteer in front of and behind the scenes - and have been doing so since 1879.