Have you noticed how the Inn, Danube and Ilz rivers converge? Passau is called the City of Three Rivers. Today we are talking about Oberösterreich in Passau.
Passau sits at the meeting point of these three rivers. It has a rich history and culture. The city’s story goes back to Roman times. It became an important trade center in the Middle Ages.
Now look up to Veste Oberhaus. It is a fortress overlooking Passau. Bishop Ulrich II built it in 1219. He wanted to show the bishopric’s military power. The fortress also protected against enemies. Citizens of Passau sometimes rebelled against the bishop. Veste Oberhaus helped defend against them too.
Over the years Veste Oberhaus was renovated. These changes show different fortification styles. The fortress was attacked five times. But it never fell.
Between 1535 and 1540 Anabaptists were jailed here. They were imprisoned for their beliefs. They wrote hymns that are still used today. Some hymn writers died in the castle.
In 1802 secularization ended the bishop’s rule. Napoleon’s forces later used the fortress. It became a prison until 1918. People feared it as the Bastille of Bavaria.
Passau gained Veste Oberhaus in 1932. They started a museum there.
Veste Oberhaus sits on St. Georgsberg Mountain. It is 105 meters above the valley. The fortress offers great views of Passau. You can see the three rivers meeting. The colors of the Inn, Danube, and Ilz are distinct.
The Oberhausmuseum is located here. It has exhibits about Passau’s history. You can see art and firefighting artifacts. There is even a porcelain collection.
Veste Oberhaus also has a restaurant. The Observation Tower offers a viewing platform. The General’s Building houses a youth hostel.
In 1933 the Ostmarkmuseum opened with fanfare. The Officers’ Garden became a café for National Socialists. Ludwig Moshamer designed an open-air theatre. It had seats for 6000 people.
During World War II the theatre was used for propaganda. Plays promoted Nazi ideas. Since the war, the theatre has been used again.
National Socialist dignitaries were hosted in Passau’s Guest Suite. The Donauzeitung wrote about Wotan symbols in St. George’s Chapel.
In 1939, Margarethe Schneider-Reichel held a seminar at Veste Oberhaus. Dr. Paul Reiß spoke about population control measures.
Veste Oberhaus is a symbol of Passau’s history. It shows the city’s power and resilience. From its heights you can see how Passau connects the rivers and cultures of Europe. Today Veste Oberhaus welcomes you. It connects you to Passau’s past.