Must-see landmarks in Passau

Passau’s architectural landscape is defined by its strategic position at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. This selection features St. Stephen’s Cathedral, home to one of the world’s largest cathedral organs, alongside the Late Baroque Neue Residenz. The city’s defensive history is preserved in the Veste Oberhaus and Veste Niederhaus fortresses, while the ruins of Burgruine Hals provide a glimpse into medieval fortifications. These landmarks represent Passau's evolution from a medieval stronghold to a grand baroque episcopal seat.

Passau's Must-See Landmarks — Map

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A

St. Stephan's Cathedral

St. Stephen's Cathedral is a baroque church from 1688 in Passau, Germany, dedicated to Saint Stephen.

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B

Veste Oberhaus

Veste Oberhaus is a fortress that was founded in 1219 and, for most of its time, was the stronghold of the Bishop of Passau, Germany.

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C

Alte Residenz

Located in the old town across from the cathedral, this former episcopal palace dates back to the 13th century. It currently houses the diocesan archive and library.

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D

Neue Residenz

Built between 1712 and 1730 in the Viennese Late Baroque style, this former palace of the prince-bishops features a grand ceremonial staircase and houses the Cathedral Treasury and Diocesan Museum.

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E

Veste Niederhaus

A medieval castle situated on the rocky tip of a peninsula at the confluence of the Danube and Ilz rivers. It is historically connected to the larger Veste Oberhaus by a fortified wall.

F

Dreiflüsseeck

The geographic point where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers meet. The site is notable for the visible color differences between the three merging water sources.

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G

Burgruine Hals

Medieval castle ruins located on a narrow ridge surrounded by a loop of the Ilz river. The site includes a 14th-century keep and remains of the original curtain walls.

Konrad Lackerbeck / CC BY-SA 2.5

H

Schloss Freudenhain

A late 18th-century neoclassical palace built for Prince-Bishop Joseph Franz Anton von Auersperg. It is set within a landscaped park on the north bank of the Danube and currently functions as a school.

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