Passau-Germany is Germany unless you are in Bavaria

I guess if I learned anything today, it’s that Germans are Germans, except if they are Bavarians. Then they are Bavarians first and Germans second. Passau is a lovely city on the banks of the Danube River. Passau is where 3 rivers meet: the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz. The city is another Roman city that eventually was left and became ruled by Prince-Bishops from 739 till 1555. The city is home to gothic and baroque architecture and St.Stephens church houses the largest pipe organ in Europe.

Arriving into the area

Getting off ship to tour. We were docked next to an older ship that didn’t match exactly so we tromped across the roofs to get off ship

Proof I actually own shoes besides sandals

Interesting wall art

Okay if you look close this is artwork disguised as a menu- top picture is rays, second chihuahua( maybe ) and bottom is grubs. 

The alley was home to many artists workshops 

A museum of glasses,drinking glasses

Fortress on the overlook where the 3 rivers meet

Not all is as it seems- some windows on the second and third floor are just painted on!

The town hall. Look close to see marks showing flood levels- 2013 was a banner year for water flooding. 

The town hall is decorated 

The executioner’s house in Medieval times- now a comedy club

Spring is here

A pharmacy- painted green since medicine was from plants. Easy code for medieval non readers

On our way to St. Stephen’s church- the pride of Passau. The church houses the largest pipe organ in Europe. Second largest in the world. It has 17,774 pipes and 233 registers 

All that is left of the original statue of St Stephen. Hung on a wall before you get to the church. Someone had drawn fangs in his teeth and boogers in his nose with magic marker… 

The church. It was Easter Sunday so we could only peek inside while mass was going on. The acoustics were marvelous and there was floor to ceiling plaster work of angels, statues- a visual overload. Unfortunately the organ is dismantled some for refurbishment so we missed hearing it. 

A doorway in an inside courtyard 

The courtyard from a different view

Alley to the art district 

Riverfront walk

In front of the museum of art

Riverside along the river walk in front of a restaurant there was this statue of a young girl accompanied by this plaque. I thought it was beautiful.as we walked back to the ship we decided to stop for a beer and a pretzel 

. We joined some new friends from Iowa/Florida to celebrate our day in Passau.

At the Ratskeller there was this fountain for beer. I was told it is unlocked for celebrations like weddings so passersby can have a beer! Think that would be great to have some places in the US!