Passau

Passau is a city in the Lower Bavaria region of the German state of Bavaria. It is called the Dreiflüssestadt, meaning "City of Three Rivers." This is because the Danube River meets the Inn from the south and the Ilz from the north there. This special place has been important for a long time.

The city has about 50,000 people. Many are students at the University of Passau. The university is famous in Germany for its good programs in economics, law, theology, computer science, and cultural studies. Because of its beautiful location where three rivers meet, Passau is a popular place for visitors to see and enjoy nature.

History

In the 2nd century BC, many of the Boii tribe moved north across the Alps and made a new capital called Boiodurum. Passau was an ancient Roman place named Batavis. The Batavi were a tribe who worked for the Roman army.

Later, in 739, archbishop Boniface created the diocese of Passau, which became very big in the German Kingdom. During the Renaissance, Passau was famous for making swords. In 1662, a big fire destroyed most of the city, and it was rebuilt.

Passau was split between the Electorate of Bavaria and the Electorate of Salzburg in 1803. In June 2013, the old town had severe flooding from heavy rain where three rivers meet.

Subdivisions

Until 2013, Passau had eight parts that were once separate towns. Now, the city is split into 16 parts for local government meetings. These parts are called "areas of open council" in German.

Main sights

Passau is a beautiful city known for its stunning architecture and scenic location where three rivers meet: the Danube, the Inn, and the Ilz. Many river cruises begin here, and there is a cycling path that stretches to Vienna. The city has impressive gothic and baroque architecture, with highlights such as the grand Veste Oberhaus and Veste Niederhaus fortresses.

One of the main attractions is St. Stephen's Cathedral, famous for its huge organ. The cathedral shows off Italian Baroque design. Visitors also enjoy exploring the historic "Old City" and other lovely churches such as the Jesuit church of St. Michael. The city square, Domplatz, has beautiful historic buildings and is a nice place to stroll.

Migrant entry point

Passau is on the border between Germany and Austria. Many people enter Germany here looking for a new home. These people, often called refugees or economic migrants, come from places like the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Some travel through Greece or across the Mediterranean Sea before reaching Germany.

In 2015, some people were left near the highway by traffickers and then walked into Passau. Local leaders used money meant for flood prevention to help provide food and shelter for these newcomers, including some children traveling alone.

Transport

The nearest airport to Passau is Linz Airport, about 104 kilometers southeast of the city. It has only a few flights. Most people from Passau travel to Munich Airport. Munich Airport has many more flights and is about 158 kilometers southwest of Passau. You can get there by car, bus, or train.

Twin towns – sister cities

Passau has many friends in other countries, called sister cities. These friends help the cities work together and learn from each other. Some of Passau's sister cities are:

• Hackensack, United States (1952)
• Cagnes-sur-Mer, France (1973)
• Krems an der Donau, Austria (1974)
• Akita, Japan (1984)
• Málaga, Spain (1987)
• České Budějovice, Czech Republic (1993)
• Liuzhou, China (1999)
• Veszprém, Hungary (1999)
• Montecchio Maggiore, Italy (2003)

Notable people

Passau has been home to many interesting people throughout history. Some of them include Otto of Passau, a writer from the 1300s, and Gottlieb Muffat, a famous organist and composer from the 1700s.

Other notable figures include Joseph Ferdinand Damberger, a historian from the 1800s, and Hans Fruhstorfer, an explorer who studied insects. More recent figures include Anna Rosmus, a historian, and Florian Silbereisen, a popular singer and television host.

Climate

Passau has a mild climate because it is near three rivers: the Danube, the Inn, and the Ilz. The rivers help keep temperatures comfortable. Summers are not too hot, and winters are not too cold. Passau is in Bavaria, and it gets rain all year, which helps plants grow well.