Germany – Austria

“A city built on the backs of three rivers,” whispered an old woman, her eyes twinkling as she gestured towards the confluence before us. “That’s what they call Passau!” Indeed, Passau, the city of three rivers, unfolds before you like a scene from a medieval tapestry. Perched on the border of Germany and Austria, Passau has been shaped by the currents of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. This unique location, where these mighty rivers converge, has made Passau a strategic crossroads for centuries, a gateway between nations and cultures. The city’s history, dating back to the Roman era, is as rich and layered as the sedimentation at the rivers’ meeting point. For centuries, Passau thrived as a vital trading post for salt, the “white gold” of its time. The bishops of Passau, once powerful princes of the Holy Roman Empire, left their mark on the city with stunning baroque architecture, most notably the magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Inside, your breath will be taken away by the world’s largest church organ, a masterpiece of craftsmanship boasting over 17,000 pipes. As you wander through Passau’s cobblestone streets, imagine the bustle of merchants, the clinking of swords, and the whispers of courtly intrigue. Passau is a city that invites you to step back in time and lose yourself in its enchanting embrace.