Passau in Germany is a wonderful ancient small town of southeast, or lower, Bavaria near the border with two countries - the Czech Republic and Austria. It is located in an amazing area where three rivers of different shades converge: the main river of the European Union, the blue Danube and its tributaries, a full-flowing green Inn and a small winding black Ilts.
The beautifully preserved Bavarian city, built in the Baroque style, is a trading and transport center with a population of more than 50 thousand people. Tourists get to Passau most conveniently from Munich by train in 2 hours.
History
The city of Passau in Germany dates back to the 3rd century. BC. from the ancient Celtic village-fortress Boyodurum, formed in the area of the modern city hall and famous for its trade in salt and graphite. In the 1st century BC. the Romans created a fortification on one of the hills of the three rivers - Castellum Boyotro, on the site of which in 280 a settlement of the German tribe of the Batavians, who expelled the Romans, appeared, named Batavis (lat.), which later turned into Passau. From the 5th century The territory of the modern city was finally taken over by German tribes, and St. Severin, the patron saint of Bavaria and Austria, gave rise to local spiritual history, having founded a Christian community here. In 738, Passau had the status of the capital of the bishopric, led by the Bavarian Duke Theobald, and since 999, the capital of the archbishopric, the largest and most influential in the Holy Roman Empire. The famous epic "Song of the Nibelungs" was recorded in the 12th century. in Passau under Bishop Wolfger.
The economic development of the "city of 3 rivers", based on shipping, trade and transshipment of Salzburg salt, the production of cold steel, in the 12-15 centuries accompanied by rebellions against the Catholic authorities. The Passau Treaty, signed in 1552 by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V of Habsburg, allowed Lutheran religion to the townspeople. Despite this, the city was and remains Catholic today, like all of Bavaria. The development of the city stopped when in 1594 the Duke of Bavaria deprived him of most of the budget, single-handedly seizing the right to salt trade. For several centuries, the archbishopric, which belonged to the Roman Empire, had a huge influence not only in Bavaria, but also in Hungary and Austria. The sunset happened in 1784 during the separation of the diocese of Vienna from Emperor Frederick III. During the wars with Napoleon, secularization took place in Germany, Passau ceased to exist as an independent theocratic state and in 1805 joined Bavaria.
Attractions Passau, Germany
Let's turn to the history. In the 17th century 2 devastating fires occurred in Passau (Germany), after which the invited Italian architects Carlone and Luraggio, as well as Czech builders and Viennese stone masons, revived the architectural ensemble of the Bavarian Venice, creating luxurious gilded baroque palaces, Venetian arches and various facades in warm and rich colors, interspersed with narrow cozy little crowded streets. Since then, the densely built-in Passau, which was not badly damaged in World War II, has made a solid impression and has several hundred protected architectural monuments.
The main ones are in the center, on a small peninsula that looks like a huge ship, and also next to it on the elevated banks of the Inna and Danube. Many cruise ships stop for a few hours in Passau. Tourist information points where you can book excursions and get a free map of the city are located at the railway station and in the building of the new city hall.
St. Stephen's Cathedral
The main attraction of the city of Passau, Germany - the main church of the bishopric - the snow-white cathedral occupies a dominant "soaring" position in the old city due to its location at an altitude of 13 m above the Danube between two rivers. Built in the reign of Archbishop Wenceslas von Thun by Italian masters in 1668 on the ruins of an ancient temple in the late Gothic and Baroque style with a courtyard and traditional Bavarian onions on 68-meter towers. In 1824, a monument to the Bavarian King Maximilian I in an imperious pose was erected on Cathedral Square.
The interior decoration of the church is amazing with stucco molding, sculptures, gilding, painting on raw plaster, paintings by German Baroque artists, including the famous Johann Michael Rottmayr. A separate masterpiece of the shrine is the largest organ with 18 thousand pipes participating in the mass, and in summer you can listen to it at daily concerts.
Oberhaus Fortress - Upper Castle
On the high left bank of the Danube, an interesting example of fortification is clearly visible from the city center - the large Oberhaus fortress, built in 1219 and rebuilt more than once, thanks to which the bishopric of 6 centuries retained power and defended itself from popular uprisings. In 1805-1932 the castle housed a prison, and now - a historical museum with an area of 3 thousand square meters. m and an observation deck with an amazing view of the confluence of 3 rivers.
Niederhaus Fortress - Lower Castle
One of the powerful stone walls of the Upper Castle in Passau (Germany), along which troops and guns could move, leads down to the confluence of the purest Ilets in the great Danube, where in the 13th century Niederhaus was built to collect tribute from ships, which survived a major powder explosion in 1435. The lower castle together with the upper one provided the city with reliable protection of river trade routes. It is privately owned and closed to tourists.
Residenzplatz
To the east of the cathedral on the central square of the Residence in Passau, Germany, since 1730 the New Bishop's residence in the late Baroque style has been located with a magnificent balcony of the Italian architects Bedutstsi and d'Angeli. A little later, the palace acquired a modern facade and balustrade, as well as rich interiors in the Rococo style and a ceiling fresco depicting the Olympic gods. It houses the church administration and the Diocesan Museum with a valuable library and items of church interior and utensils. In front of the building is a fountain in 1903 with a sculpture of the patroness of Bavaria, Virgin Mary surrounded by symbols of three rivers. The square also houses the city theater in the building of the Old Residence of the Bishop of 1783.
Old Town Hall
Town Hall Square overlooks the banks of the Danube. Here, in place of the fish market in 1405, in the style of the Venetian palazzo, the old city Hall was erected with a Gothic defensive clock tower attached to it in 1892, on which the largest in Bavaria has installed 23 bells (88 melodies) with electronic management. The facade of the building with images of local archbishops, Emperor Ludwig IV, marks on the city’s flood levels and a commemorative plaque dedicated to the stay in the city of the Bavarian princess Sissy, the future queen, the beautiful Elizabeth of Austria, looks impressive and interesting.
The interior of the Large and Small Gothic Halls of the Town Hall, decorated by Italian craftsmen, is striking. An old stone staircase leads to the Great Hall of Carlone with powerful columns, grandiose vaults and gilded chandeliers, decorated with monumental paintings by the local honorary citizen Ferdinand Wagner with scenes from the history of the city and the German epic.
A small hall with magnificent ceiling and wall picturesque allegories on Passau and 3 rivers is often closed for tourists to hold wedding ceremonies.
Mariahilf Monastery
It was formed on the high right bank of the Inn River around the early baroque church of 1627 by the Italian architect Garbanino. To the monastery, which has the icon of the Virgin Mary - a copy of the famous painting by Lucas Cranach, leads a penitent steep climb in 321 steps, covered with a gallery visible from afar.
The monastery complex once delighted the Emperor Napoleon with its laconic beauty and good location.
Museum of Glass
Located in an old hotel of the 19th century. near the Town Hall Square and has 30 thousand exhibits of Bohemian glass from a private collection, including the Art Nouveau era - the heyday of this art in the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany. Having visited Passau in Germany, Mikhail Gorbachev and writer Friedrich Durrenmatt enthusiastically spoke about this collection. The astronaut Neil Armstrong was invited to open the museum in 1985.
University
The youngest Bavarian university in Passau, Germany, was established in 1978 on the basis of the Catholic Institute of Technology and educates a fifth of the city's residents - 10 thousand students, many of whom are foreigners, and most of them are Austrian and Russian students. He became one of the best in Germany, having won fame forges of diplomatic personnel. He specializes in teaching philosophy, economics, law, information technology and 9 foreign languages.
At the end of the trip, take a walk along the Inna embankment past the 13-14th century Scheiblingsturm tower. - the only reminder of the salt harbor, admire the Marienbrucke bridge, drop by the Toy Museum or the Museum of Modern Art, take interesting photos of Passau (Germany). A small German city with Italian architecture, a Christian heart and southern color, a “ship on 3 European rivers”, will amaze you with its unique geographical location, glorious ancient history, Bavarian manicure and an abundance of magnificent monuments.
Tourists reviews
The Inn Inn Passau is magnificent. Immersed in luxurious medieval architecture, tourists can feel like Nibelungs. The cathedrals, squares, museums of the Bavarian city impress with Italian chic.
Many people say that you won’t get around at once, there are so many interesting and unique sights in the city!
Vacationers enjoy walking on a hot summer day on a boat along the Passau rivers from the pier on Town Hall Square. Tickets can be bought at the booth at the gangway. Clean river air, landscape views with castles will not leave anyone indifferent.