Situated at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers, near the border with Austria, Passau is a river port, rail junction, and industrial centre. Manufactures include beer, textiles, optical equipment, and tobacco.
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A Roman frontier outpost known as
Castra Batava, Passau was made (738 - 39) an Episcopal seat by
St. Boniface. The bishops of
Passau were temporal lords of a substantial territory until 1803, when the bishopric was secularized and awarded to
Bavaria; the diocese was restored in 1817.
The
Treaty of Passau (1552) was negotiated there between
Maurice of Saxony and
King Ferdinand I, who represented his brother,
Emperor Charles V; it secured the release of the captive Protestant princes and helped pave the way for religious peace.
Noteworthy buildings in
Passau include the cathedral (15th - 17th cent.), which has one of the world's largest church organs; the Gothic city hall; the baroque Episcopal palace; the
Oberhaus fortress (13th - 16th cent.); and a former Benedictine monastery.
There are also many fine houses and fountains in the Bavarian baroque style, built after fires ravaged the city in 1662 and 1680.
Many river cruises down the
Danube start at
Passau and there is also a cycling path all the way down to
Vienna.
