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Passau - City of Three Rivers

Passau, a city of 50,000 in Germany’s southeast corner, is one of the most fascinating places in Europe. Its charm, beauty, history, culture, and art reflect an almost Mediterranean lifestyle, thanks also to its balmy, mild weather, and gentle, easy-going ways. It is called the City of Three Rivers because it sits at the confluence of three rivers: the Danube (Donau), Inn, and Ilz.

Passau’s sites and the historical city center with its narrow and winding streets and alleyways provide the city’s ambience. The Passau Cathedral is home the greatest Catholic cathedral organ in the world. It’s a must see for a visitor. Other highlights include the fortress, the Veste Oberhaus, from which there is a unique panoramic view of the city. The sumptuously ornate rooms of the old city hall are another impressive highlight.

Passau has a long and interesting history. As early as 5,000 years ago people settled there and carried on trade along the three rivers. Later, over a period of 300 years, the Romans built several forts on the banks of the Danube and Inn. It was one of these forts to give Passau its name: Batavis, Pazzawe = Passau.

From the medieval times up to the beginning of 19th century, prince bishops governed the city. During this period Passau became the largest diocese of the Holy Roman Empire with borders reaching as far as what today is Hungary. It also became important as a commercial, educational and cultural center. Passau’s Italian-baroque buildings were erected after the Great Fire of 1662.

Passau has always been an important destination for business travelers and tourists and attracts several hundred thousand visitors each year. Where emperors and kings left their traces, the hostelries, too, were full of world-famous guests such as Napoleon, Empress Sissi, and Mozart. And it still continues to do so for Passau is famous for its hospitality. The idyllic beer gardens, the cozy inns, the numerous street cafes make you aware that Passau heartily welcomes you. The hotels and restaurants with their wonderful atmosphere full of tradition go to great lengths to make each guest completely feel at home.

Passau is a center of culture and art. The “European Weeks”, a part of the international music festival, are among the city’s most important cultural events. The “Passauer Kabarett-Tage”- a regional cabaret festival - offers sparkling cabarets of high quality. Renowned art galleries and museums exhibit a broad spectrum of works, encompassing a wide spectrum of styles from over several centuries. Numerous artists offer their creative craftwork in the alley Höllgasse. Theater, opera, and concerts of all kinds complete the rich performance art offerings. Passau has a special position among the European centers of culture: one of Germany’s and Europe’s greatest literary works, the Nibelungenlied, had its origins here 900 years ago.

Although relatively new, Passau University (opened in 1978) has already achieved an importance whose impact goes far beyond the region. More than 8,500 students are enrolled in theology, law, economics, philosophy, mathematics and computer science courses. Numerous academic conferences at the university have established its good reputation.

Passau is a main port for passenger ships on the Danube. Numerous boats lie along the riverbank, ready for interesting sightseeing tours and for extended trips. Visitors can travel downstream to Upper Austria’s Danube valley - or upstream to the East Bavarian Danube valley. There are also cruises to nearby Linz and more distant Vienna. Passau is a major port for long distance cruises extending the length of the Danube through Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Moldavia, Bulgaria, Romania and the Ukraine.

Passau has plentiful walkways and bike paths for those who love to walk, jog, hike or cycle. Given Passau’s unique position at the rivers Danube, Inn, and Ilz, as well as to its proximity to the Bavarian Forest, Austria and the Czech Republic, visitors enjoy countless possibilities to undertake side trips to neighbors on both sides of the German border.

Located within 160 kilometers of Munich, just 140 kilometers from Munich Airport, Passau is well-served by rail, car, and bus. Hourly regional, national and international trains provide plentiful service between Vienna, Budapest, Nuremberg, Dresden and Berlin as well as Frankfurt and points north.

Passau is within six rail-hours of virtually any big German city.

Click here for more information on special events in Summer/Fall 2011

For Full information about Passau click here: http://english.passau.de/Home.aspx