Passau

Passau is a city in the Lower Bavaria region of the German state of Bavaria. It is famously known as the Dreiflüssestadt, which means "City of Three Rivers," because the Danube River is joined there by the Inn from the south and the Ilz from the north. This unique location has made Passau an important place throughout history.

The city has a population of about 50,000 people, and many of them are students at the University of Passau. This university is well-known in Germany for its strong programs in economics, law, theology, computer science, and cultural studies. Because of its beautiful setting where three rivers meet, Passau is also a popular place for visitors to explore and enjoy nature.

History

In the 2nd century BC, many of the Boii tribe moved north across the Alps and established a new capital called Boiodurum by the Romans. Passau was an ancient Roman colony named Batavis, meaning "for the Batavi". The Batavi were a Germanic tribe who served in the Roman army.

Later, in 739, archbishop Boniface founded the diocese of Passau, which became one of the largest in the German Kingdom. During the Renaissance, Passau was known for making swords and blades, with smiths stamping their blades with the Passau wolf symbol. In 1662, a large fire destroyed most of the city, and it was rebuilt in the Baroque style.

Passau was divided between Electorate of Bavaria and the Electorate of Salzburg in 1803. During World War II, the city housed sub-camps of the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp. In June 2013, the old town suffered from severe flooding due to heavy rain and its location where three rivers meet.

Subdivisions

Until 2013, Passau was divided into eight areas that used to be separate towns. Since then, the city has been split into 16 areas for local government meetings, 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 their journey here, and there is a cycling path that stretches all the way to Vienna. The city features impressive gothic and baroque architecture, with highlights including the grand Veste Oberhaus and Veste Niederhaus fortresses.

One of the main attractions is St. Stephen's Cathedral, famous for its huge organ with over 17,000 pipes. The cathedral itself is a marvelous example of 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, features beautiful historic buildings and is a lovely place to stroll.

Migrant entry point

Because Passau is located on the border between Germany and Austria, it has become an important place where many people enter Germany seeking a new home. These individuals, often called refugees or economic migrants, come from places such as the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Many travel through Greece or across the Mediterranean Sea before heading to Germany.

In 2015, reports showed that some people were left near the highway by traffickers, and then walked into Passau. This has led local leaders to use money that was 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, located about 104 kilometers southeast of the city. However, it offers flights to only a few destinations. Most people from Passau travel to Munich Airport instead, as it has many more domestic and international flights. Munich Airport is about 158 kilometers southwest of Passau and can be reached 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 who wrote about the Third Reich, and Florian Silbereisen, a popular singer and television host.

Climate

Passau experiences a temperate climate influenced by its location near three rivers: the Danube, the Inn, and the Ilz. These rivers help moderate the temperatures, leading to mild summers and relatively mild winters. The city's climate is typical for the region of Bavaria, with enough rainfall spread throughout the year to support lush greenery and vegetation around the area.