Passau
the town of three rivers
Passau is a historical university town of more than 50 thousand inhabitants situated in south-east of the region of Bavaria in Germany, near the border with Austria (in the east), and the Czech Republic (in the north). Its location at the confluence of 3 rivers, the Danube, Inn, and Ilz, makes it one of the most charming cities. Its historical part called Altstadt (Old Town - situated at the confluence of the Danube and Inn) belongs to the main attractions of Passau.
Passau developed thanks to its strategic position on the crossroads of various trade routes (e.g. Golden Route connecting the Danubian lowland and the Czech lands from south to north, or the Salt Route connecting the east and the west), but remained in the hands of the local bishops never becoming a secular town. After the great plague followed by a series of fires in the 17th century, the bishops invited the best architects from Italy, who created some of the most magnificent Baroque architecture in the town, e.g. finishing the St Stephen´s Dome (located at the highest point in town), the New Bishop´s Residence (Neue Residenz), the Town Hall (Rathaus) etc, making Passau one of the Baroque pearls of the world.nPassau is a modern town skillfully combining the old and the new, offering the best from both. Therefore, you can enjoy the architecture, visit the museums, e.g. the Roman museum called Römermuseum Kastell Boiotro, or enjoy some of the many festivals and other cultural and religious events (e.g. the fairy-tale-like Advent Markets at Christmas time). Often, Passau is referred to as a “town on the blue Danube, the green Inn and the black Ilz”. Passau is also an ideal place for all lovers of shopping with its shops and shopping malls in the centre. You can also visit St Stephen Dome, where you can find the biggest organ in the world.nYou can visit some of the following sights:nthe town hall (Rathaus), St Stephen´s Dome, St Paul´s Parish Church, New Bishop´s Residence.nAlternatively, you can visit the museums, e.g. the museum of modern art (Museum Moderner Kunst), or the Roman museum, or the glass museum.nThere is also a number of shops, restaurants, and cafes.n