High above the three-river city of Passau, Freinberg is a place steeped in history. Freinberg might look unassuming now. But it has played a significant role in the ebb and flow of power between Bavaria and Austria. For centuries, Freinberg remained a part of Bavaria. Then the Treaty of Teschen in 1779 redrew the map. Freinberg, along with the entire Innviertel region, was ceded to Austria. The Napoleonic Wars briefly saw it return to Bavarian control. Its fate was sealed in 1814, when it permanently became part of Upper Austria. Freinberg’s past is visible in the charming Pfarrkirche Hl. Willibald. The church is a testament to the enduring faith of its people. Another fascinating site is the Ratzingerhof, a 500-year-old farmhouse. This farm was once worked by the ancestors of Pope Benedict XVI.
Veste Oberhaus
High above the Danube stands Veste Oberhaus a fortress that has witnessed centuries of history. Imagine its imposing silhouette against