Try the Web App

Votivkirche

Discover cities like never before.

Enjoy over self-guided city exploration with our app ‘Explory’. Learn all about the history and discover hidden more than 500.000 hidden gems, that only locals know about. Build custom tours, find nearby places, and start exploring instantly.

Try the Web App

The soaring spire of the Votivkirche pierces the Passau sky. Its story isn’t just etched in stone but whispered on the wind. This isn’t just any church. This is the Votivkirche Maria Unbefleckte Empfängnis.

Originally a Franciscan church built between 1613 and 1619 it was part of a larger complex. The Franciscan monastery stood proudly beside it. Tragically both were destroyed in the devastating city fire of 1680. Undeterred the church and monastery were rebuilt. Secularization in Bavaria changed everything. The church fell into private hands. It was used as a barn a stark contrast to its sacred past. Its original high altar now resides in Grainet’s Holy Trinity parish church.

Bishop Heinrich von Hofstätter saw the potential. He repurchased the building. From 1857 to 1864 he oversaw a dramatic transformation. Inspired by the 1854 proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception the church was redesigned. On August 20 1864 Bishop Hofstätter rededicated it as the Votivkirche a church of thanksgiving to the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

The Votivkirche faced further change. Road widening necessitated shortening the nave. From 1963 to 1965 architect Hans Döllaga completely redesigned the interior. Bishop Simon Konrad Landersdorfer consecrated the new altar on September 8 1965. The Marist Fathers have overseen the church since 1978 making it known as the Maristenkirche. Another remodeling took place in 1988 under Wolf Hirtreiter.

The Votivkirche holds treasures. A priceless early Baroque crucifix a Baroque Man of Sorrows and a Coronation of Mary group by Joseph Knabl stand testament to its rich history. This last is one of the few sculptures surviving from Bishop Hofstätter’s era.

The Votivkirche continues to serve. Daily exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is a tradition. Daily confession is offered. The Catholic Student Community of Passau holds services within its walls. Its history is complex. Its dedication is unwavering. The Votivkirche stands as a symbol of faith resilience and adaptation a true testament to Passau’s enduring spirit.

Learning about Votivkirche in Passau is only the beginning of your adventure. Explory helps you go further with a powerful digital guide that transforms every walk into an experience. Using our intuitive city guide, you can easily connect stories with locations, creating your own city tour while enjoying Passau at your own rhythm. Explory’s goal is to make your trip unforgettable. Our guide combines storytelling with orientation, giving you the chance to uncover the rich layers of Passau. Thanks to the integrated audio guide, you can listen to fascinating narratives while exploring the streets. Beyond the well-known attractions, Explory highlights hidden gems and secret corners that make the city truly unique. With the city guide, you’ll gain insights and flexibility. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular traveler, the app offers exploration on your terms. Each curated city tour blends local culture, history, and atmosphere into one seamless experience. The emphasis on exploration ensures you won’t just see Passau, but actually connect with it. And because our content reveals hidden gems, you’ll always discover something new. Expand your journey by downloading the Explory App. Explore over 300 cities and more than 500,000 POIs and stories, all accessible from your phone. Whether you need a trusted guide, a flexible audio guide, or a structured city tour, Explory offers everything in one place. Start your adventure today and explore Passau like never before with Explory.

More Places in Passau

Haus der Jugend

Is this heaven? No, my friends, this is the Haus der Jugend! And what a view! Perched high upon Oberhausberg

Explore

Tabakfabrik

“A fire so intense, they feared all of Innstadt would burn.” That’s how locals remember the blaze that engulfed the

Explore

Schalding

Is there a secret ingredient to a club’s success? For SV Schalding-Heining, maybe it’s the spirit of a tie game.

Explore

Villa Bergeat

Can you imagine living in a building that once served as a secure vault for millions of marks? Step right

Explore

Zeltplatz Passau

Could a campsite be in the heart of a city? Zeltplatz Passau proves it’s possible. Nestled between the idyllic Hals

Explore

Dreiflüsse-Camping

Nestled amidst the rolling hills of Bavaria, Dreiflüsse-Camping beckons you. It’s a place where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers

Explore