Europe: Passau, Germany

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• published: 24 Apr 2014
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Passau, Germany is often called the "City of Three Rivers" joining the Danube, the Inn, and the ilz rivers. After Passau was destroyed twice by fire in the end of the 1600s, Italian architects rebuilt in Baroque style and many have titled Passau as the "Venice of Germany". Even Napolean Bonaparte called it "the most Italian looking city north of the Alps." Surrounded by medieval walls, this city was built to protect the highly crucial and valuable trade routes. The Veste Oberhaus is a fortress that was built in 1219 AD and was used as a stronghold for the Bishop of Passau. It is now a youth hostel, restaurant and museum. Passau was an important medieval trade and shipping centre. The "Inn River Salt Trade" and the making of knife and sword blades, were traditional occupations here. In the past, this Passau wavebreaker served as a trade post and toll booth, collecting taxes on the commercial goods heading up and down the rivers. Painted across the city, churches and monasteries are unique to the area. The MariaHilf Monastery is known for the pilgrimage steps or "The Heavenly Ladder" where 321 sacred steps take you to the top of the ridge for prayer. Only housing 50,000 inhabitants the 53 churches in the city makes it one of the highest people to church ratio around. Being at the center of three merging rivers, floods are quite common which have been marked over the years on the church's wall. As the dusk rolls in, the beautiful lights of the city awaken, and the energy of the night life can be felt, here in this modest city. And in the center, one of the most famous churches in Europe, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Containing the second largest pipe organ in the world and bell towers that weigh 13,000 pounds or as much as a fully grown African Elephant. This church was built, mixing the gothic style of architecture, with the Baroque style, after half the church burned down in the late 1600's. The now rebuilt church towers over the city like a fatherly guardian. Beautiful frescoes can be seen and enjoyed from the ceilings, as religious folk and tourists flock to the cathedral to pray and admire its beauty. The "City of Three Rivers" known for its strategic location on the Danube River, beautiful churches, Monasteries and baroque styled housing shining over the river's edge, with Strongholds and fortresses dominating the hillside. This is Passau, Germany.