The
Scharfrichter Haus (Executioner’s House) was built around the year 1200.
Located on Milchgasse (Milk Street), it
was the official residence of the city’s executioner. Early historical
documents, from the 13th century to 1443, mention the building as the feared “Prislig”
(prison). In the 1970s, the city of Passau was under very strong influences of conservative
political parties. Consequently, a counter-cultural movement developed, and a
political cabaret was performed in Passau. The editor of city’s main newspaper
established a news embargo on the cabaret organization, and the General Vicar
of the Diocese took the movement to court charging blasphemy. As a result, the
city imposed a ban on the cabaret’s performances.
The
Scharfrichterhaus of today was founded in 1977 and quickly developed into an
important stage on which jazz and political cabaret is performed. Today, it
also houses a coffee house, a restaurant, a wine cellar, and a repertory cinema.
10:38 AM - Passau: our guide for "Viking Bragi 13B" tour group at mural of old river boat on Danube, with sign for "Passauische Flußschiffahrt seit eh und je" (Passau Riverboat Travel from Time Immemorial) and lion he said was on a 20 m pillar.
10:39 AM - Passau: our guide for "Viking Bragi 13B" tour group at other part of mural, showing men on horses towing old river boat on Danube.
10:41 AM (Cropped) - Passau: plaque for "Rathaus Altes Zollamt" and government offices currently occupying the building.
10:41 AM - Passau: view back down street toward Rathaus tower, with Rathaus Altes Zollamt in right foreground.
10:42 AM - Passau: Rathaus Altes Zollamt.
Passau: Rathaus Altes Zollamt (Von Konrad
Lackerbeck - Eigenes Werk, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4878446).
The Rathaus Altes
Zollamt (Town Hall Old Customs Office) or Hauptzollamtsgebäude (Main
Customs Office Building) on the Rathausplatz is one of the few 19th century
buildings in the predominantly Baroque Old Town. In 1425, the municipal dance house
was built at this site, where all dance events took place in the episcopal
city.
Passau: Rathaus Altes Zollamt – memorial plaque
on outside wall that translates “Here stood the municipal Dance-House ca.
1425-1848, since 1806 Royal Customs Office - Main Customs Office 2006" (Von High Contrast - Eigenes Werk, CC BY 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16924685).
Due to the secularization of the Electorate of Bavaria
in 1802, the building came into the possession of the royal customs administration.
In 1845, the decision was made to construct a new building with a design
approved by King Ludwig I. In 1848, the old building was demolished, and excavation
began for the new building, which was completed in 1851 as part of the complex
on Rathausplatz. In 2004, the main Customs Office in Passau was abolished.
Since 2007, the brick building has been used by the city as the Town Hall Old
Customs House.
MT Monday, August 20, 2018, 10:37 AM - Passau: sign, in German, in store window, which translates: "Commerce and change [doings and dealings] across borders are since ancient times the heart of prosperity. Rupert Schützbach."
10:42 AM - Passau: view of Veste Oberhaus from near Rathausplatz.
Veste Oberhaus (meaning fortress upper house) is a fortress that was founded in 1219
and for some time served as the stronghold of the Bishop of Passau. It is
currently the site of a museum, a youth hostel, a restaurant, and an open-air
theater. It is located on the mountain crest (St. Georgsberg) on the left
(north) side of the Danube, between it and the Ilz. Below the Oberhaus, on a
promontory between the two rivers is Veste Niederhaus (fortress lower house),
part of the same fortress system.
Veste Oberhaus was built in 1219 by Ulrich II, the
first Prince-Bishop of Passau, at the previous location of a chapel dedicated
to St. George. The fortress was intended to protect against both external
enemies and internal threats of Passau citizens who wished to acquire the independent
status of a free imperial city. As siege techniques improved, the fortress was
repeatedly renovated and extended, starting in 1255-56. The inscription “1499”
prominent on the façade revers to one of those renovations. The most
significant rebuilding in the 17th and 18th centuries developed the fortress
from a Gothic citadel into an early Renaissance princely residence. The
secularization of Bavaria in 1802 brought an end to the rule of the prince-bishop.
Napoleon used the fortress during his campaign against Austria, placing it
under the control of his Bavarian allies as a border outpost, but in 1805
surrendered it to the Austrian army. After the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the
rea was controlled by Bavaria, and for almost a century served an additional
purpose as a state and military prison, feared as the “Bastille of Bavaria.”
The smaller Veste
Niederhaus was made after 1367, creating a double fortress. Located
below on the bank of the Danube. it is connected to the Veste Oberhaus by a
battlement.
10:42 AM - Passau: overlook and small tower on battlement between Veste Oberhaus and Veste Niederhaus (telephoto 119 mm).
10:44 AM - Passau: Veste Niederhaus on promontory between the Danube and Ilz.
10:45 AM - Passau: Veste Niederhaus on promontory between the Danube and Ilz (mild telephoto 38 mm).
MT 10:42 AM - Passau: look back to Veste Oberhaus from east of the Prinzregent-Luitpold-Brücke suspension bridge across the Danube (mild telephoto 37 mm).
10:45 AM - Passau: look back to Veste Oberhaus from east of the Prinzregent-Luitpold-Brücke suspension bridge across the Danube.
10:50 AM - Passau: view of Veste Niederhaus from east of the Prinzregent-Luitpold-Brücke suspension bridge.
As we continued to the eastern tip of the Old Town, we came to the Kloster Niedernburg.
The Kloster
Niedernburg (Niedernburg Cloister, Abbey, or Convent) is a
former abbey of the Benedictines and former convent of the Engische Fräulein
[English Misses] (until 2013).
The religious order originally known as the Institutum
Beate Mariae Virginis (Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary) is now officially
called the Congregatio Jesu (Congregation of Jesus), but the order is commonly
known as the English Misses. It was founded in 1609 with the original purpose
of educating girls, at first young English girls. Since the religious community
did not yet have a name, it was called the “English Misses.” Since it was founded by Mary Ward, it is sometimes referred to as the Mary Ward Sisters. The institute
founded numerous branches, especially in southern Germany, where it still
operates many schools. The order left Kloster Niedernburg in 2013, because the
few remaining sisters were too old to continue operations.
The cloister was founded in 739 by the Agilofinger,
an aristocratic Franconian family. In 1010, Niedernburg was awarded the
imperial immediacy (being immediately subordinate to the emperor) by Emperor
Heinrich II. In the 11th century, the Romanesque pillar basilica Heiligkreuz
(Holy Cross) was built. In the 12th century, the second sacred building, a
Marienkirche (St. Mary’s Church), was erected. In 1161, the Kloster Neidernburg
was given by Emperor Friedrich Barbarosa to the Prince-Bishop of Passau, and
the extensive property of the abbey could form the economic basis of the
bishopric. In 1583, the prince-bishop opened the convent to the citizens’
daughters. The two fires that devastated the city of Passau in 1662 and 1680
also destroyed the convent. The Holy Cross Church and the convent building were
hastily rebuilt.
The abbey church Zum Heiligen Kreuz (of the Holy
Cross) is from the 11th or 12th century. The vestibule is even older. The vault
in Baroque. Gothic and Baroque statues can be seen of the pillars of the nave.
A late Gothic cloister is attached to the church. On the east side of the abbey
is St. Mary’s Church, which was built in 1150 but has remained in ruins since
the fire of 1662.
10:52 AM - Passau: Kloster Niedernburg - outside wall with historical plaques.
10:53 AM (Cropped) - Passau: plaque that translates "Here stood the Saint Mary's Church of the Cloister Niedernburg ca. 1130-1602" above sign that translates: "Starting Point of the 'Goldener Steig' (Golden Trail) 19 April 1010"Gift of an extended strip of land north of the Danube as well as the Bohenian Toll Office by King Heinrich II to the Female Cloister Niedernburg.
"First, although only indirect evidence of the existence of the 'Golderner Steig,' a significant trade connection between Passau and Bohemia.
"1161 Gift of the Cloister Niedernburg by Kaiser Friedrich Barbarosa to the Passau Bishops, who on the basis of the rich possessions of the cloister, the 'Abbey Land,' built up their worldly territory until 1803."
Map of Goldener Steig trade routes from Passau
into Bohemia (Böhmen) (By Andreas Hirsch, Bad Reichenhall at https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/Der_Goldene_Steig.JPG).
The Goldener Steig (Golden Trail) was the romantic name of three old pack-horse or mule tracks
that led from Passau to Bohemia (in the preset-day Czech Republic). On them, salt and other southern goods were
transported to the Moldau country. Three trails comprised the most important
medieval pack-horse trade route of Southern Germany. All three trails started
from the Hofstift (court convent) of Passau. The oldest and most traveled route
(mentioned as early as 1010) was the Unterer Goldener Steig (Lower Golden
Trail). In the 1010 document, Emperor Heinrich II assured the Marienkloster
Niederburg in Passau of the toll income from the Goldener Steig (until their
secularization). The other two routes began around 1300 and around 1356. In the
middle of the 16th century, it was used by up to 1,200 horses a week, each
loaded with 3 Zentner (metric hundredweight). The trails received the nickname
“Golden” because of the profitable trade in salt (called “white gold”), but
also because of Imperial and Royal privileges. They were used by pack horses
and later by carts, leaving deep ruts that can still be seen today. The heyday
of the pack-horse trade was especially in the 13th to 16th centuries. In 1526
the rule of the Habsburgs began in Bohemia. With increased import duties, they
tried to force salt trade from Passau out of the Bohemian market and favored
the import of salt from the Habsburg saltworks in the “Salzkammergut” via Linz
to Budweis. The 1706 ban on the import of salt from Passau and Bavaria and the
sovereignty of the Salzburg archbishops means an end to the salt trade on the
Goldener Steig.
10:54 AM - Passau: Kloster Niedernburg - another sign that translates:
"Cloister Niedernburg
"former St. Mary's Church"Museum Vestibule
"Romanesque Wall Paintings
"Restoration financed by Congregatio Jesu, Diocese of Passau, Rotary Club of Passau, City of Passau, State of Bavaria, Promotional Society for Preservation and Presentation of the Niedernburg Frescoes e.V. [eingetragener Verein = registered society or association]."
MT 10:49 AM - Passau: Kloster Niedernburg - our Viking tour guide by that sign for "Museum Vorhalle - romanische Wandmalereien" (Museum Vestibule - Romanesque ceiling frescoes) and same list of organizations that financed the restoration.
5845 Monday, August 20, 2018, 10:54 AM - Passau: Kloster Niedernburg - Romanesque ceiling frescoes of former Church of St. Mary.
10:54 AM - Passau: Kloster Niedernburg - Romanesque ceiling and wall frescoes of former Church of St. Mary.
11:00 AM - Passau: Kloster Niedernburg - old engraving of Passau "Patuvium - Passaw" with key to callouts at bottom: A = [the] City, B = Ober hausen, C - Nieder hausen, D = the Cathedral, E = [Iesamer?], F = In[n] City. G = Maria Hilf Cloister, H = Capucian Cloister, I = [St.] Bartholome.
11:02 AM - Passau: between Kloster Niedernburg and the Danube - "Fischerbedarf [Fishermen's Needs] Anton Hartl" building at "Bräugasse 18" [Brewery Street] with historical plaques.
11:02 AM (Cropped) - Passau: between Kloster Niedernburg and the Danube - building at "Bräugasse 18" [Brewery Street] with three historical plaques: top one (hard to read) for high-water mark in 1501 and the other two for high-water marks in 1954 and 2013.
11:04 AM - Passau: Bürgerliches Waisenhaus - façade with entrance to chapel.
11:04 AM - Passau: Bürgerliches Waisenhaus with statue of St. John Nepomuk.
MT 11:00 AM - Passau: Bürgerliches Waisenhaus - façade with entrance to chapel (mild telephoto 53 mm).
The Bürgerliches
Waisenhaus (Bourgeois Orphanage) is also called Lukas-Kern-Waisenhaus
or Lukas-Kern-Kinderheim (Childrens’ Home). In 1749, the ship master and
innkeeper Lukas Kern donated 72,400 florins in his will to establish an orphanage
in Passau. Between 1750 and 1762, it was built as a four-wing complex at the
confluence of the Danube and Inn rivers. The entrance to the orphanage chapel
has its own façade, without interrupting the front line. There is a fresco painting
framed with stucco. The paintings flanking the portal show the founder Lukas
Kern and his wife Anna Theresia, and above the portal is the Virgin Mary with
12 stars around her head. The interior of the chapel is also decorated with rich stucco work.
In 1758, the first children moved into the orphanage,
which was still run by the Mary Ward Sisters until 2013.
In the square in front of the orphanage is a statue
of St. Johannes Nepomuk from 1759 (restored in 1901, after being damaged in the
flood of 1899, and 1957). On the pedestal is a coat of arms with the year 1759.
Sankt Johannes von
Nepomuk (St. John of Nepomuk) (ca. 1345-1393) was confessor
to the Queen of Bohemia and refused to divulge the secrets of the confessional.
At the behest of King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia, he was tortured and thrown into
the Vltava River from the Charles Bridge in Prague and drowned. He is usually
portrayed with a halo of five stars, commemorating the stars that hovered over
the Vltava River on the night of his murder, the palm of martyrs, and a large
crucifix at which he is usually looking. The statue on Passau closely resembles
the prototypical statue of him in on the Charles Bridge in Prague.
11:05 AM (Cropped) - Passau: Bürgerliches Waisenhaus - plaque, on façade to far right of entrance, which referred to "Waisenhaus" and helped Don later identify the building.
11:05 AM - Passau: Bürgerliches Waisenhaus - view into chapel, toward main altar.
11:05 AM - Passau: Bürgerliches Waisenhaus - view into chapel, with stucco work on left side wall.
11:06 AM - Passau: Bürgerliches Waisenhaus - Latin inscription over chapel entrance (telephoto 72 mm).
11:06 AM - Passau: Bürgerliches Waisenhaus - signs for high-water marks: top to bottom 2013, 1954 (with drawing of St. Christopher crossing river), 1787 from Danube, 1899, and 1786 from Inn; and blue sign for street name "Ort" (telephoto 105 mm).
11:07 AM - Passau: Bürgerliches Waisenhaus - side door with address "Ort 10" and plaque above door.
11:07 AM - Passau: Bürgerliches Waisenhaus - plaque above side door about the donation of Lukas Kern with date "1751" (telephoto 72 mm).
11:08 AM - Passau: view from near Bürgerliches Waisenhaus toward Pilgrimage Church Mariahilf, on hill across the Inn.
MT 11:07 AM - Passau: view from near Bürgerliches Waisenhaus toward Pilgrimage Church Mariahilf, on hill across the Inn (telephoto 87 mm).
Passau: Mariahilf Church (Von Mattana -
Eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14900024).
The Wallfahrtskirche
Mariahilf (Pilgrimage Church Mariahilf) rises high on a hill
south of the Inn River. The pilgrimage was founded in 1662, when the Cathedral
Dean Marquard von Schwendi had a chapel built here with a picture of the Virgin
Mary that a Passau artist had made in 1620 as a copy of the miraculous image of
Mariahilf by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553). Schwendi’s Schlösschen
(little castle) is opposite the portal of the pilgrimage church. The church
itself was built in 1624-27, and the Capuchins were put in charge. The
eye-catching spire helmets were not added until 1665. A covered staircase for
pilgrims, laid out in 1628, comprises 321 steps leading directly up to the Baroque
abbey complex. There is an early Baroque crucifix at the entrance to the
staircase. The church was a highly significant shrine to the Virgin Mary.
When Vienna was besieged by the Turks in 1683,
Emperor Leopold I fled to Passau. In front of the miraculous image, the
imperial couple prayed daily for rescue from the Turkish threat. When a
Christian alliance, under the battle cry “Maria Hilf” (Mary Help), won the Battle of
Kahlenberg to end the siege, the Passau “Mariahilf” image became the state
image of grace for the Habsburg monarchy. With the secularization of 1803, the
Capuchin abbey was dissolved and the pilgrimage came to an abrupt halt. In the
course of the Restoration, more frequent pilgrimages were allowed again, and a
pilgrimage priests’ convict was established in 1831. The Capuchins returned in
1890. The church is still an important place of pilgrimage today. In 2002, the
Pauliner took over the care of the pilgrimage church from the Capuchins.
MT 11:04 AM - Passau: view from near Bürgerliches Waisenhaus toward Pilgrimage Church Mariahilf, on hill across the Inn and Schaiblingsturm tower on near side of Inn.
11:08 AM - Passau: near Bürgerliches Waisenhaus - view back up the Inn to Schaiblingsturm tower.
11:11 AM - Passau: closer view of Schaiblingsturm tower and arch on north bank of Inn.
The Schaiblingsturm (Schaibling Tower) is one of the landmarks of Passau. It stands on the
south side of the Old Town near the eastern tip of the town, on a rock rising
from the Inn on the Innkai (Inn Quay) river promenade. Its name may be derived
from the conical shape of the tower walls (German Scheibe, meaning disc
or circular shape). The round tower with its high pointed roof was part of the
medieval fortifications of Passau.
The Schaiblingsturm was built around 1250 as a
bulwark against attacks from the Inn. Another important function was to protect
ships from the waves of the Inn. The tower also served as a storage facility
for powder, and during the time of the salt trade, the ships that brought salt up
the Inn to Passau moored there. In 1481, the tower was renovated, and its conical
roof was one of the few medieval roof structures that were not destroyed by
city fires. It was restored in 1921 but then weathered rather badly. In the
latest extensive renovation in 2004, the original plaster still remaining from
1481, covering the entire tower built from granite stones, was secured and
partially renewed.
The tower has three floors above a natural stone
base. The three rooms with five key notches on the ground floor and six
right-angled windows on the upper floors are connected by a staircase from the
northeast. A wooden spiral staircase inside the tower leads visitors up to the
roof.
In 1970, the tower became the property of the
Leopoldinum Gymnasium (secondary school). The tower is accessible only from the
Leopoldinum site via a covered walkway above the arch over the river-side promenade.
MT 11:16 AM - Passau: our tour group going through a narrow passage between buildings.
11:16 AM - Passau: view up street to towers of Kloster Niedernburg.
11:17 AM - Passau: statue on side of house on Jesuitengasse (telephoto 72 mm and Cropped).
11:18 AM - Passau: street sign on corner (of same house) for "Jesuitengasse" (Jesuit Street).
11:19 AM - Passau: view from "Jesuitengasse" (sign on corner in foreground) of two buildings with artwork of Virgin and Child above storefronts: Bäckerei Riederer (bakery in Michaeligasse) with painting and Wing Chun Kung Fu (at Michaeligasse 10) with statue in niche.
We turned left (south) on Michaeligasse toward
the Leopoldinum and the St. Michael’s Church.
11:19 AM - Passau: Leopoldinum Gymnasium - door at "Michaeligasse 15" with "Gymnasium" (secondary school) above it, along with partial date "16[64]" at sides, and sign to left of door for "Ehehamiges Jesuitenkolleg" (Former Jesuit College).
The Leopoldinum Gymnasium is one of four secondary schools in Passau. It is one of the oldest
schools in Germany. Its history goes back to the Passau Cathedral School, established
by the Diocese of Passau in 739 to train the clergy. The heyday of the school
was chronicled in the 9th century by Abbot Godehard of the Niederaltaich
Monastery and in the 11th to 13th centuries by the names of the leading
teachers.
Like many other cathedral schools, it was operated
as a Latin school from the 14th century due to the establishment of
universities. In 1611, Bishop Leopold V called the Austrian Jesuits to Passau,
who took over the school as a Jesuit college. On 1612, the Jesuit college
became the first secondary school in Passau. By 1617, the Jesuits had erected
the building that is still the main building of the Leopoldinum.
From 1892, the school was consistently referred to
as a Gymnasium (first royal humanistic Secondary School in Passau). From
1918-65, it was called Humanistic Gymnasium Passau. In 1965, it was renamed
Gymnasium Leopoldinum, with a focus on humanistic-modern language. From 1992,
it was a European Secondary School, and since 2013, the Leopoldinum has again been
a linguistic and humanistic secondary school (starting from the 5th grade).
11:20 AM - Passau: view down street (Schustergasse) of north side and tower of Jesuit Church St. Michael.
11:21 AM - Passau: Church St. Michael - northwest tower and part of the west façade.
The Kirche St. Michael (St. Michael’s Church), also called Studienkirche (Study Church) or
Jesuitenkirche (Jesuit Church), is a 17th-century single-nave building with later
additions in the Baroque style. It is attached to the Leopoldinum school.
As early as 1329, there is evidence of a St. Michael’s
Church in Michaeligasse, north of the present church. Soon after the Prince-Bishop
summoned the Jesuits to Passau in 1611, they built the first church here in
1612, as a house chapel of the Jesuit College. That church was destroyed in the
city fire of 1662. In 1665-78, the Jesuits, supported by the Prince-Bishop,
built St. Michael’s Church. The church and the adjoining school have typically
Italian exteriors. The exterior of the church was made relatively simple at the
request of the bishop to avoid competing with the Cathedral. Today, the church
is owned by the Free State of Bavaria.
The church is on the north side if the Inn, just
before it joins the Danube. With the address Schustergasse 14, the church faces
Schustergasse on its west and north sides. The south side faces the Innkai river-side
promenade, and the east side adjoins the Leopoldinum.
11:25 AM - Passau: building on left is "Hofapotheke zum schwarzen Adler" (Court Pharmacy of the Black Eagle), located at Residenzplatz 12.
The Hofapotheke zum
schwarzen Adler (Court Pharmacy of the Black Eagle), located at
Residenzplatz 12, was first mentioned in 1384, in the will of the first well-known
court pharmacist in Passau. Thus, is the oldest pharmacy in Bavaria and one of
the oldest in Germany. The court pharmacists were allowed to display the
Prince-Bishlop’s Coat of arms. The coat of arms of the House of Habsburg, with
a double-headed black eagle, was probably attached during the Thirty Years’ War
(1618-48). Over the years, it was replaced by the coats of arms of other ruling
families. However, the Habsburg coat of arms is displayed above the entrance
today, reminiscent of the first coat of rms given to the pharmacy. Although the
pharmacy was mostly called just Hofapotheke, the addition of “Black Eagle” also
reflects that legacy. It was in the same family for 8 generations, from 1753
until 2014.
The 3-story building with a Baroque façade
essentially dates from the 16th and 17th centuries. After the city fires of 1662 and 1680, the
house was renovated. With few exceptions, it has retained its Baroque stucco
and vaulted ceilings. In 1993 and 2000, the entire building was rebuilt and
modernized and expanded to a total of 5 floors.
Next, we headed toward St. Stephen's Cathedral, but first came to the New Bishop's Residence and the Old Bishop's Residence.
11:25 AM - Passau: St. Stephen's Cathedral - apse (under renovation) central dome, and northwest tower, with statue of Wittelsbach Fountain on Residenzplatz in right foreground (telephoto 72 mm).
The Residenzplatz (Residence Square) is one of the few open spaces in the tightly packed
Old Town. It is lined with residences of wealthy families. It offers a fine
view of the Cathedral’s resplendent east (apse) end, the only significant section
remaining from the Gothic period. The square is named for the New Bishop’s Residence, which is located on it.
The Fürstbischofliche
Residenz (Prince-Bishop’s Residence) is a 200-meter-long
complex of buildings along the banks of the Inn and opposite the Cathedral. The
complex consists of the Alte
Bischofsresidenz (Old Bishop’s Residence), which today houses the
district court, and the Neue Bischofsresidenz (New Bishop’s Residence). The old and new residences are connected by
the so-called Saalbau (Hall Building), which originally housed the Fürstbischofliche Hofbibliothek
(Prince-Bishop’s Court Library) and is now the Domschatz-und-Diozesanmuseum
(Cathedral Treasury and Diosecan Museum).
In front of the passage below the southern cathedral
tower to the Zengergasse is the so-called Fürstliche Neugebäud (Princely New
Building), also called sala terrena because of its terrace garden. It
was built in 1708 and housed a post office until 2003.
MT 11:22 AM - Passau: St. Stephen's Cathedral - apse (under renovation) central dome, and part of northwest tower, with New Bishop's Residence on left and our tour guide for "Viking Bragi
13B" in right foreground (mild telephoto 56 mm).
11:26 AM -
Passau: St. Stephen's Cathedral - apse
(under renovation) central dome, and northwest tower, with New Bishop's Residence on far left and our tour guide for
"Viking Bragi 13B" in left foreground (mild telephoto 44 mm).
11:27 AM -
Passau: New Bishop's Residence - façade
with entrance at far end.
New Bishop's Residence – other end of façade with
entrance at right
(Von Die Autorenschaft wurde nicht in einer maschinell
lesbaren Form angegeben. Es wird Konrad Lackerbeck als Autor angenommen
(basierend auf den Rechteinhaber-Angaben). - Die Autorenschaft wurde nicht in
einer maschinell lesbaren Form angegeben. Es wird angenommen, dass es sich um
ein eigenes Werk handelt (basierend auf den Rechteinhaber-Angaben)., CC BY-SA
2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1359590).
The Neue Bischofsresidenz (New Bishop’s Residence), built in 1713-30 in the late Baroque style,
has a pilaster façade with two portals and a roof balustrade from 1765 to 1771.
Two protruding balconies are marked with the dates 1770 and 1771. Located at
Residenzplatz 8, it was the Baroque town palace of the Prince-Bishops of
Passau. Part of it now houses the entrance to the Domschatz-und-Diozesanmuseum
(Cathedral Treasury. The façade faces the beautiful carved stone
Wittelsbacherbrunnen (Wittlesbach Fountain) in the cobblestoned Residenzplatz.
11:27 AM - Passau: New Bishop's Residence - ornate entrance portal.
11:27 AM - Passau: view from New Bishop's Residence to Cathedral apse, with narrow Zengergasse between the two buildings.
11:28 AM - Passau: our guide leading "Viking Brage 13B" tour group into narrow Zengergasse with console pillars of Cathedral at right.
11:28 AM - Passau: farther down narrow Zengergasse with Cathedral at right.
11:29 AM - Passau: still farther down narrow Zengergasse with Cathedral at right and its south tower straight ahead.
MT 11:25 AM - Passau: a bit farther down narrow Zengergasse with Cathedral at right.
11:29 AM - Passau: Old Bishop's Residence - plaques on Zengergasse; the top one translates: "Old Bishop's Residence documented 1173, today's building 14th-17th century" and "In 1683, Emperor Leopold I took Prince Eugen of Savoy into his service" and the one below "In the court of Bishop Wolfger von Erla [in office] 1191 to 1204, around 1200 the Nibelungenlied was created" and "In 1203, the Minnesinger [poet] Walther von der Vogelweide was mentioned in the Bishop's documents."
The core of the Alte
Bischofsresidenz (Old Bishop’s Residence), located at Zengergasse 1,
dates from the 13th century. The oldest preserved part is a Romanesque door
frame from 1180. The current building
essentially dates from the 15th to 17th centuries and was restored after the
city fires of 1662 and 1680., a short distance from the apse of St. Stephen’s
Cathedral. From the front door, it is just a short walk along a narrow street
under an archway to the Cathedral. In the east is the Hofkapelle (Court Chapel),
secularized in 1803, with a portal from 1693. The chapel room now serves as the
courtroom for the Landgericht (Regional Court).
11:29 AM - Passau: Old Bishop's Residence - ornate portal on Zengergasse.
11:30 AM - Passau: Old Bishop's Residence - another portal, on east end, to Court Chapel, with sign on wall at right for "Landgericht" (Regional Court) and "Amtsgericht" (District Court).
11:30 AM - Passau: continuing down narrow Zengergasse toward south tower of Cathedral with gateway to Domplatz at base of tower.
11:33 AM - Passau: Cathedral - west façade and towers (backlit).
The Dom St. Stephan (St. Stephen’s Cathedral) is a true masterpiece of Italian Baroque architecture.
Since 730, there have been many cathedrals on this site. The current church was
built from 1668 to 1693 to replace an early Gothic structure from 1221-1313,
which was largely destroyed by fire in 1662. (All that remains from that earlier
building is the late Gothic three-aisled apse, transept, and crossing tower created
between 1407 and 1598, which were incorporated into the Baroque construction.) It
is suitably enthroned at the highest point in the Old Town, facing the Domplatz
(Cathedral Square). It is one of the largest cathedrals with the largest Baroque
church interior north of the Alps. Its most notable furnishing is what used to
be the world’s largest organ (now it is the largest church organ outside the
US). The organ currently has 17,774 pipes and 233 separate registers, all of
which can be played with a five-manual general console in the gallery. Organ
recitals are given every weekday at noon.
The two-tower Baroque façade is on the east side of
the Domplatz. The fact that two huge buildings from the late Gothic and Baroque
periods fit together so harmoniously inside and out to form a balanced whole
makes this special among all cathedral in the German cultural area. The green
domes of the crossing tower and towers of the west façade, called Bohemian caps
or Platzl vaults, give the building an unmistakable appearance. The octagonal
upper floors of the wet towers with the neo-Baroque hoods were not added until
1896. In the basement of the south tower, a gate opens into the narrow Zengergasse,
which separates the Cathedral from the Old Bishop’s Residence. This runs along
the south side of the Cathedral to the Residenzplatz past the east end of the
Cathedral. From there, the late Gothic apse with its filigree buttresses is
visible. At the exit from Zengergsse to Residenzplatz, the construction of the
eastern buttress of the southern transept, which is a console pillar, is structurally
interesting and unique for the 15th century. This unusual construction was
necessary to keep access to the Old Residence free for carriages that could not
turn in the narrow alley.
11:33 AM - Passau: Cathedral - west façade and south tower with gateway to Zengergasse at its base (backlit).
11:33 AM - Passau: Cathedral - north tower and west façade (backlit).
Shortly after 11:30, our guided tour ended in front of the Cathedral, where the Viking Bragi Program Director Joey gave us our tickets for the organ concert.
11:36 AM - Passau: Cathedral - Don's ticket to "Mittagskonzert" (noon concert) of the famous organ.
On our way into the Cathedral for the concert, we passed through the Domhof (Cathedral Courtyard).
Passau: Cathedral - Domhof with fountain in center (Von Photo: Andreas Praefcke - Selbst fotografiert, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8544886).
The Domhof (Cathedral Courtyard) is a large inner courtyard on the north side of
the Cathedral. The former cathedral cloister with its Gothic portal, which
serves as entrance to the Cathedral during church services, is a remnant of the
cathedral monastery referred to in 739. The cloister was demolished in 1812. The
tombstones displayed here were in the Andreas Chapel until 1961/62, but
originally came mostly from other chapels that were demolished in 1812. (The Andreas
Chapel, from around 1300, is located on the east side of the Domplatz.) In the center of the courtyard is the Patronatsbrunnen (Patronage Fountain) in concrete and bronze with statues of the four patron saints of Passau.
11:38 AM - Passau: Cathedral - view of bell tower from inner courtyard.
11:38 AM - Passau: Cathedral - view of other bell tower from inner courtyard.
11:39 AM - Passau: Cathedral - old tombstones in inner courtyard.
11:39 AM (Cropped) - Passau: Cathedral - old tombstones in inner courtyard.
11:40 AM - Passau: Cathedral - view from our pew (near transept) to apse, before the concert.
The interior of the three-aisled nave is structured with six yokes separated by wide
belt arches. This is followed by the dome at the crossing and finally a
single-nave choir (apse). The lavish stucco work is underlaid with numerous
figurative structures. The Italian frescoes in the central nave from 1679-84
culminate in the crossing dome painting with God the Father in the midst of the
Evangelists, and in the apse fresco depicting the stoning of St. Stephen. The
aisles were painted by another Italian in 1688. The choir loft yoke is
dedicated to music. In each of the remaining five bays of the central nave, four
virtues (as allegorical female figures), as well as putti holding scrolls and
Old Testament prophets, are thematically assigned to the ceiling painting in stucco.
MT 11:36 AM - Passau: Cathedral - view from our pew (near transept) to main altar in apse, before the concert.
MT 11:49 AM - Passau: Cathedral - view from our pew (near transept) of left side of nave and part of ceiling frescoes, before the concert.
11:40 AM - Passau: Cathedral - view from our pew (near transept) of ceiling frescoes of fourth and fifth yokes and part of crossing dome, before concert.
The fourth yoke represents the triumph of the Church. The prophets Malachai, Jeremiah,
Solomon, and Joel and the virtues of sincerity, unity, wisdom, and justice are
represented.
Passau: Cathedral – ceiling fresco of Victory
of the Catholic Church in 5th yoke (Von Mattana - Eigenes Werk, CC
BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14903775).
The fifth yoke, as the last before the crossing, represents the triumph of the Catholic
Church. The prophets Isaiah, Ezekiel, Baruch, and Zachariah and the virtues of
contemplation, chastity, receptivity, and the Catholic religion are depicted
here.
MT 11:39 AM - Passau: Cathedral - view from our pew (near transept) toward rear of nave with organ.
11:41 AM - Passau: Cathedral - view from our pew (near transept) toward rear of nave as group led by Sue and Marilyn from Leavenworth, KS enters for the concert.
11:42 AM - Passau: Cathedral - view from our pew (near transept) of Marilyn, Sue, and other people from Leavenworth, KS across the aisle from us, and side altar.
11:43 AM - Passau: Cathedral - view from our pew (near transept) of Marilyn (standing in aisle), Sue's husband John (standing behind her), Sue (sitting behind John), and other people from Leavenworth, KS sitting across the aisle from us, and side altar.
11:43 AM - Passau: Cathedral - view from our pew (near transept) toward rear of central nave with organ in loft.
11:43 AM - Passau: Cathedral - center section of organ in loft (telephoto 105 mm).
11:45 AM - Passau: Cathedral - main altar with stoning of St. Stephen (telephoto 81 mm).
The main altar depicting the stoning of St. Stephen, was created from 1947 to 1953.
11:47 AM - Passau: Cathedral - MT in aisle talking with Pat from Leavenworth, whose husband Doug was also there.
11:54 AM - Passau: Cathedral - John, Sue, and Marilyn and others from Leavenworth, across the aisle from us.
12:01 PM - Passau: Cathedral - view from our pew toward apse, with Mike from Lansing, KS, who came forward to take photo in aisle.
12:03 PM - Passau: Cathedral - view from our pew toward apse with main altar.
12:03 PM - Passau: Cathedral - view from our pew toward apse and transept to right.
No photos were allowed during the organ concert 12:00-12:30 pm.
12:37 PM - Passau: Cathedral - view from near transept to rear of central nave with ceiling frescoes, after concert.
MT 12:37 PM - Passau: Cathedral - ceiling fresco of Victory of the New Covenant (the Christian Church) and Triumphal Procession, in 4th yoke, and up into dome at crossing, after concert.
The fresco on the ceiling of the cupola, from
1679-85, pictures God the Father surrounded by the choir of angels.
12:39 PM - Passau: Cathedral - organ center section and two side sections in loft at rear of nave.
12:41 PM - Passau: Cathedral - MT, Marilyn, Sue, and John after concert at rear of nave.
12:43 PM - Passau: Cathedral - main altar with stoning of St. Stephen (telephoto 156 mm).
12:44 PM - Passau: Cathedral - pulpit.
11:44 PM - Passau: Cathedral - closer view of pulpit, taken from our pew before the concert.
MT 12:34 PM - Passau: Cathedral - Don by pulpit.
MT Monday, August 20, 2018, 12:34 PM - Passau: Cathedral - MT in central aisle with main altar in apse in background.
MT 12:35 PM - Passau: Cathedral - organ in loft at rear of nave, on our way out of the Cathedral (mild telephoto 39 mm).
12:48 PM - Passau: view back toward Altes Rathaus to the east, with MT in foreground.
Then we went back to the Viking Bragi for lunch, and after that we headed up to the Veste Oberhaus.
MT 2:49 PM - Passau: flowers on sidewalk near dock.
2:56 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus on north side of Danube and Luitpoldbrücke suspension bridge we would cross to get there.
See earlier note on Veste Oberhaus and Veste
Niederhaus.
2:57 PM - Passau: Veste Niederhaus from suspension bridge (telephoto 81 mm).
2:59 PM - Passau: - MT in background behind sign for "Donauleiten von Passau bis Jochenstein" (Danube Ridge from Passau to Jochenstein) with subtitle "Gebietsteil Oberhauser Leite" (Sector Oberhaus Ridge); German text at left translates in part:"Dear Friend of Nature, did you know that the narrow Danube valley from Passau downward to the Austrian Ashach is not only a romantic backdrop for ship excursions? Because of its rear and rich in variety plant and animal world, it is a trans-regionally important nature landscape and therefore designated as a Flora and Fauna Habitat Area, part of the European Protected Area Natura 2000.
. . . . .
"From the Ilzstadt of Passau to the [Austrian] border below Jochenstein, the steep south banks have been a nature protected area since 1986. The Oberhaus ridge forms the upper end of this outstanding nature landscape. Since 1938, the city of Passau has designated it as a natural monument."
The German Leite, pl. Leiten, means
steep slope or ridge. The nature reserve "Donauleiten
von Passau bis Jochenstein" (Danube Ridge from
Passau to Jochenstein) is part of the European protected area system Natura
2000. It extends in several sections over a length of approx. 30 km. It is part
of the 90-km-long narrow valley in the southeast of the Bohemian Massif between
Hofkirchen on the Danube in Bavaria and the Ashach in Upper Austria. It
consists mostly of south-facing steep slopes.
Itzstadt (Ilz City) is an unofficial district of the city of Passau. It lies on both sides
of the Ilz River to the northeast of Passau.
The Jochenstein is a small rocky island on German territory near the Austrian border,
which forms the central border between the Danube up to and below Jochenstein;
the island also gives its name to a village. Ashach an der Donau is a municipality in Upper Austria.
MT 2:55 PM - Passau: MT starting up steps of Ludwigsteig with that sign for "Donauleiten von Passau bis Jochenstein" at base of steps.
3:00 PM -
Passau: partially overgrown sign in German that translates "The
Ludwigsteig [Ludwig Path] blasted out of the cliffs in the year 1893 was
dedicated to Prince Ludwig of Bavaria as Protector of the Forest Society and
examined by him on 22 May 1897."
The Ludwigsteig (Ludwig Path) is a footpath on Georgsberg in Passau. It leads from the
Angerstraße at the north end of Luitpoldbrücke (Leopold Bridge) up to the Veste
Oberhaus. The battlements of the castle can also be reached via a junction.
3:01 PM - Passau: view from partway up the steps of Ludwigsteig of Luitpoldbrücke suspension bridge and Old Town.
3:03 PM - Passau: view from Ludwigsteig to east down the Danube to Veste Niederhaus (at left, above tunnel) and confluence with the Inn.
Partway up the hill, we had the option of continuing on the stairs (10 min) or on a footpath (sign said 20 min, but it took more like 30 when we followed it).
3:05 PM - Passau: Ludwigsteig - sign, in German, English and Czech, for options: "Footpath to Veste Oberhaus via the battlement (approx. 10 minutes)" with arrow pointing to right, up the steps) and "Footpath to Castle Oberhaus over the Ludwigstiege [sic!] (about 20 min.) ends at the Thingplatz (House of Youth, Youthhostel [sic!], Observatorium)" with arrow pointing to left.
3:12 PM - Passau: Ludwigsteig - MT at one of the several switchbacks on the path.
MT 3:09 PM - Passau: Ludwigsteig - Don at one of the several switchbacks on the path.
MT 3:13 PM - Passau: Ludwigsteig - MT at rough spot on the path.
3:25 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - view of Danube, Old Town, and Inn from Batterie Linde (Linde Battery) lookout point at top of Ludwigsteig path.
MT 3:21 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - view of Danube, Old Town, and Inn from Batterie Linde (Linde Battery) lookout point at top of Ludwigsteig path.
3:25 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - view of Danube, Old Town, the Inn, and Innstadt (on the other side of the Inn), from a bit farther west at top of Ludwigsteig path.
Innstadt (Inn City, pop. 6,081) is a district in the city of Passau. It is the
only official district of Passau. It is the only part of Passau located to the
right (south) of the Inn River. It is bounded by the Inn and the border with
Austria.
3:25 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - part of fortress at left and view of Old Town, Innstadt, and Inn (near confluence) from observation point.
MT 3:21 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - part of fortress at left and view of tip of Old Town, Inn (near confluence), and Innstadt, from observation point (mild telephoto 62 mm).
3:26 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - view of Cathedral from observation point (telephoto 105 mm).
3:26 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - part of fortress close to top of path and street leading to Generalsgebäude (General's Building).
MT 3:22 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - part of fortress close to top of path (mild telephoto 62 mm).
MT 3:30 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - Don and MT at observation point, with part of fortress and confluence in background.
We took an elevator to the top of the observation tower (to come back down, we went from Level 0 to -2).
3:32 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - view from observation tower of main buildings around courtyard (Thingplatz including hostel?).
3:33 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - view from observation tower of south end of courtyard and confluence of Danube and Inn at tip of Old Town.
3:34 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - view from observation tower of Old Town, including Cathedral and St. Paul's Church, between Danube and Inn (one of the cruise ships docked on Danube is probably the Viking Bragi).
3:34 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - view from observation tower of Old town between Danube and Inn (farther to left, including St. Michael's Church and Altes Rathaus at left and Cathedral at right).
MT 3:31 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - view from observation tower of Old town between Danube and Inn (farther to left, including Cathedral and St. Paul's Church).
3:34 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - view from observation tower of Old Town between Danube and Inn (farther to left, including St. Paul's Church, Luitpoldbrücke, Niedernburg Cloister Church (near far end of bridge), and confluence).
3:34 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - view from observation tower of buildings around courtyard, confluence, Luitpoldbrücke, and Old town including Niedernburg Cloister Church (near far end of bridge).
3:35 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - view from observation tower of buildings around courtyard, with Chapel of St. George behind it, and confluence.
The Georgskapelle (Chapel of St. George) is in the inner courtyard. Its basic structure
dates back to the first construction phase of the fortress during the 13th century
and was later renovated in the Baroque style. The fortress was built on the site
of a previously existing chapel dedicated to St. George.
MT 3:39 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - tower of Generalsgebäude.
3:42 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - towers.
3:42 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - towers and part of courtyard.
Then we took the elevator back down from Level 0 to Level -2.
3:46 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - inside courtyard, with hostel on right.
MT 3:42 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - inside courtyard, with hostel on right and Don by tree in foreground.
3:47 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - inside courtyard, MT taking photo at base of old wall.
MT 3:44 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - inside courtyard, MT at base of old wall.
3:47 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - inside courtyard, more of old wall with part of wooden staircase.
3:48 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - inside courtyard, wooden staircase and ramparts on old wall.
3:53 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - inside courtyard, entrance to Oberhaus Museum with modern bronze statue of Wagenlenkerin (Female Charioteer) at left.
Since 1987, the courtyard has displayed the sculpture
Wagenlenkerin (Female Charioteer) by Professor
Hans Wimmer (1907-1992). Wimmer, an artist with a penchant for horses, personally set up a collection of his works that
opened in 1987 at the Oberhaus Museum.
MT 3:55 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - inside courtyard, MT hitching a ride with the Wagenlenkerin (before we noticed a sign asking visitors to stay off the statue).
MT 3:57 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - inside courtyard, Don in narrow niche leading to barred door.
4:00 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - inside courtyard, to left of Museum, with Generalbäude at far left.
4:02 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - inside courtyard, more around to left and uphill, with Generalbäude at far left near part of old wall.
4:02 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - more uphill, with part of old wall.
4:05 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - MT going through gate to higher courtyard and overlook, with lion and coats of arms over the gate.
MT 4:11 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - higher courtyard and overlook, with view of Old Town; Altes Rathaus in foreground with St. Michael's Church behind it and Pilgrimage Church Mariahilf on hill beyond the Inn (mild telephoto 65 mm).
MT 4:10 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - higher courtyard and overlook, with view of Cathedral in Old Town; cruise ships docked on Danube in foreground and the Inn in distance to right (mild telephoto 47 mm).
4:14 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - higher courtyard and overlook, with view of St. Paul's Church and the Inn in distance to left (mild telephoto 56 mm).
4:14 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - higher courtyard and overlook, with view of Pilgrimage Church Mariahilf on hill beyond the Inn (telephoto 156 mm).
4:14 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - higher courtyard and overlook, with view of Pilgrimage Church Mariahilf on hill beyond the Inn, with Altes Rathaus and St. Michael's Church in left foreground (telephoto 93 mm).
4:14 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - higher courtyard and overlook, with view of Altes Rathaus, with St. Michael's Church beyond it (telephoto 156 mm).
Then we headed back down the Ludwigsteig, first taking the footpath.
4:17 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - Ludwigsteig with switchbacks.
4:17 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - Ludwigsteig with more switchbacks.
MT 4:13 PM - Passau: Veste Oberhaus - Ludwigsteig with more switchbacks.
4:27 PM - Passau: MT crossing Luitpoldbrücke suspension bridge back to Old Town (mild telephoto 44 mm).
4:27 PM - Passau: MT passing statue of bishop at south end of Luitpoldbrücke.
4:28 PM - Passau: pedestal of statue of bishop at south end of Luitpoldbrücke, with inscription that translates: "Franciscus Aloysius S.R.I. Count of Lamberg, Canon of Metro Salzburg and Cath[edral] Pass[au]" and the year 1718.
Franz Alois von
Lamberg (1692-1732), Titular Bishop of Nilopolis, was
appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Passau in 1725 and consecrated in 1726.
5:07 PM - Passau: we were told that Hitler as a boy had lived in the thin green house on the north side of the Danube opposite Dock A14, where the Viking Bragi was docked (telephoto 105 mm).
In 1892-94, Hitler’s family lived in Passau after his father was
transferred there when the boy was 3.
The Viking Daily newsletter had told us to be back on board the Viking Bragi by 5:45, since the ship would depart for our next stop at Melk shortly thereafter. We went up to the ship's sun deck to enjoy the view as we left Passau.
5:48 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of Bragi down Danube past St. Paul's Church at right and Veste Oberhaus on left and perhaps into Austria.
5:51 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of St. Paul's Church façade and tower (telephoto 119 mm).
The Pfarrkirche St.
Paul (St. Paul's Parish Church), or Paulskirche, dates
back to 1050, making it the oldest parish church in Passau. After being destroyed
by fire in 1512 and the great city fire of 1662, the present building was
constructed in 1678. The original, very flat spire of the 17th/18th centuries
was replaced by a high, pointed helmet in the second half of the 19th century. After reconstruction in the 19th century, the
single tower stood much higher. However, due to the dangerous condition of the
tower, it was demolished in 1950 and rebuilt with about a third of its height,
still the second highest tower in Passau after the Cathedral. The church and
its tower are of pink and cream. A stairway, also in pink and cream, leads to
the entrance portico and delicately carved doorway.
6:02 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of Cathedral towers (telephoto 105 mm).
6:05 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of Altes Rathaus tower (mild telephoto 63 mm).
6:05 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of Altes Rathaus tower (telephoto 156 mm).
6:06 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of Altes Rathaus, with Altes Zollhaus at far left, as we passed another cruise ship.
6:06 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of Altes Zollhaus next to Rathaus.
6:07 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of Veste Oberhaus (far left) and Veste Niederhaus (far right) as we were about to pass under the Luitpoldbrücke suspension bridge.
6:07 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of Veste Oberhaus.
6:05 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of Veste Oberhaus (mild telephoto 63 mm).
6:08 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of Veste Niederhaus (left) as we neared the confluence with the Inn and Ilz.
6:08 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of Veste Niederhaus as we neared the confluence.
6:09 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of Veste Niederhaus as we neared the confluence (mild telephoto 56 mm).
6:09 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of Veste Niederhaus (far left) and ahead on the Danube into Austria as we neared the confluence (mild telephoto 56 mm).
6:09 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of Veste Niederhaus as we neared the confluence; the mouth of the Ilz is just to the right of the shorter tower (mild telephoto 56 mm).
6:09 PM - Passau: view from sun deck back to Veste Oberhaus, with Veste Niederhaus at right, as we neared the confluence (mild telephoto 56 mm).
6:09 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of Veste Niederhaus (left) as we neared the confluence; the mouth of the Ilz is just to the right of the short tower, and the houses at right are on the other side of the Ilz (mild telephoto 56 mm).
6:10 PM - Passau: view from sun deck ahead into Austria as we neared the confluence (mild telephoto 56 mm).
6:10 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of point where the Inn flows into the Danube (mild telephoto 56 mm).
6:10 PM - Passau: view from sun deck back to Veste Oberhaus and Veste Niederhaus and point where the Ilz flows into the Danube just to the right of the tower; the church and houses at the right are on the other side of the Ilz.
6:11 PM - Passau: view from sun deck ahead into Austria.
6:10 PM - Passau: view from sun deck back to Veste Oberhaus and Veste Niederhaus and point where the Ilz flows into the Danube just to the right of the tower; the church and houses at the right are on the other side of the Ilz.
6:14 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of point where the Inn flows into the Danube.
MT 6:11 PM - Passau: view from sun deck of town in Austria just beyond point where the Inn flows into the Danube.
6:18 PM - Passau: view from sun deck back to Luitpoldbrücke suspension bridge over Danube, Veste Oberhaus, Veste Niederhaus, the point where the Ilz flows into the Danube, and Church and houses on other side of the Ilz.
6:21 PM - Passau: last view from sun deck of Passau and the confluence (backlit near sunset).
At this point, the Viking Bragi crossed into Austria, and we went inside to prepare for dinner.
MT 6:17 PM - Viking Bragi: TV screen showing position of our ship to east of the confluence.
6:25 PM - Viking Bragi: picture of harp near the dining room.
6:24 PM - Viking Bragi: plaque next to that picture of harp, which reads:"BRAGI
"Bragi is the Norse god of poetry, music and eloquence. He has the power to stir hearts and memories.
"Artist: Roy Chr. Lauritsen."
Bragi is the skaldic poet of the Ǣsir. (Skaldic poetry was oral court poetry
originating in Norway but chiefly developed by Icelandic poets (skalds) from
the 9th to 13th centuries. Norse mythology divided deities into two groups, the
Ǣsir and the Vanir, and Bragi was one of the 12 male Ǣsir [plural of Ás]
attested in the 13th-century Edda.) The name Bragi literally means “poet”
and may be derived from the old Norse word for poetry, bragr. He is most
famous for being the first poet and the inspiration behind skaldic works. He is
the god of poetry and music. Harps and other traditional bardic instruments are
associated with him. He was the son of Odin by the giantess Gunniöd and husband
of the goddess Idunn. Since most Norse gods were paired with their opposites or
complementary influences, Bragi is the older, wiser partner of Idunn, the
rather gullible goddess of eternal Spring. The long-bearded Bragi is a Winter
god of leisure and entertainment, when the work of the harvest season was over
and folks settled into the long months of cold and snow.
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