Passau is nestled in southeastern Germany’s Bavaria state. Known as the “City of Three Rivers” (Dreiflüssestadt), Passau is uniquely situated at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers near the Austrian border. This strategic location has shaped its past as a significant trade and shipping hub, particularly for the Inn River salt trade in medieval times. From Regensburg we traveled along the Danube River to Passau, Germany.
Passau, Germany
Passau’s history stretches back to a Celtic settlement named Bojodurum, later evolving into a Roman camp known as Castra Batava. It served as the northernmost border between Germanic tribes and the Romans until 480 A.D. The city was made an episcopal site in 739, and its bishops became princes of the Holy Roman Empire in 1217 ruling Passau until 1803. Despite facing significant damage from fires in 1662 and 1680, subsequent rebuilding efforts influenced its distinctive Baroque character.
Today, Passau serves as the economic, cultural and communication center of southeastern Bavaria. Industries include brewing, bell founding, and the manufacture of clothing, bicycles, organs, and electrical engineering products. The city also thrives on tourism.
Artists Alley
The flood-prone Höllgasse area showcases colored cobblestones and a large concentration of art studios.
Despite repeated floods that have left water marks on the walls of the old buildings, the artistic community has thrived, transforming adversity into inspiration. Flooding can reach the second floor of buildings, so one thought is that Artist Alley is a low rent cost area.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Passau
This baroque church, completed in 1688, is dedicated to Saint Stephen and serves as the seat of the Catholic Bishop of Passau. It is renowned for its striking white towers, blue-green domes, and the interior, which houses the largest cathedral organ in the world with 17,974 pipes and 233 registers.
The cathedral stands at the highest point of Passau’s old town and is considered one of the most significant baroque buildings north of the Alps.
Veste Oberhaus
This imposing fortress sits high above the city and was originally built in 1219 by the prince-bishops of Passau as a symbol of their power and to defend against both external enemies and internal uprisings. It is a hike to reach Veste Oberhaus from the city center, but the effort is rewarded with panoramic views of Passau and the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers, which we didn’t have time to do. It is a well-known European phenomenon that in some historical periods, taxes were levied based on the number of windows in a building. To reduce tax liability, some owners bricked up or painted over windows to give the appearance of fewer windows. Many of these windows were painted.
Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) of Passau
It is located in the town square on the riverbank. The painted figures on the facade include depictions of Emperor Ludwig of Bavaria and several flag bearers representing various electorates and territories. The high water marks are a prominent feature on the exterior, serving as a historical record of Passau’s frequent and sometimes devastating floods. The building itself dates back to the 15th century and was created by combining several patrician houses, later rebuilt and decorated with murals and paintings by artists such as Ferdinand Wagner.
Passau offers a unique blend of urban and rural areas making it a comfortable place with around 50,000 inhabitants. Visitors can wander through its cobbled lanes, underpasses and archways, appreciating the Baroque churches and patrician houses. The city also has a vibrant student life largely centered around the University of Passau, which opened in 1978.
A relaxing late afternoon cruise along the Danube River with new friends.
