Off the Map

Passau

[Ed. New Photos Posted]

Many of you will recognize the name, as did I. Passau. Perhaps it conjures up images of cold, Eastern European cities - filled with old buildings and cobblestone streets. Perhaps you learned in history class that at one point it was the richest city in Europe. Perhaps you have no idea what I'm talking about...

Passau is one of the Eastern most cities in former West Germany, lies on the border with Austria and just a stone's throw away from the Check Republik. It sits on prime property: the intersection of 3 rivers, the Danube among them. Now class, can you say "Trade Control"? The old city is a peninsula protruding out into this still very active water highway (there were a bevy of barge, cruise, and transport ships). The far banks (actually large hills) are strategically lined with castles, fortresses, and huge fortifications. Fortunately Passau was left relatively in tact after the War, which means its a fairytale to explore.

Years of former wealth are clear: several large, elaborate Churches and cloisters; several palaces and castles; quality architecture for residences and small businesses; and one amazing Cathedral. The Cathedral overlooks the city from the highest point on the peninsula - not only for the implied position of power, but also to protect from the periodic floods one would expect in such a city (apparently the residents keep boats in their basements), see my photos for a shoot of some flood levels mapped on the town hall building. Once inside the Cathedral, one is greeted by a vaulted ceiling practically dripping with Frescos. That afternoon a small, bald, old man was playing the Organ, which resonated and filled the spacious interior with overwhelming sound. Architectural quality was on par with the Cathedral in Munich, and many of the more prominent buildings in Vienna.

My favorite pictures from the day were taken as we strolled down a hillside road after exploring the fortifications on top (as well as gawking at the view!). The whole day was bitingly cold & snowy, which lent the whole trip the sort of romantic feeling I had always imagined of an (almost) Eastern European city firmly in the grasp of Winter.

posted by Jason @ 4:10 pm