Right in the middle of Passau’s Residenzplatz, you can find the Wittelsbacherbrunnen. It is a beautiful fountain, dedicated to the Bavarian Wittelsbach dynasty. In 1903, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Passau joining what would become the Kingdom of Bavaria, the fountain was erected. Designed by Munich artist Jakob Bradl, the fountain is dominated by the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of Bavaria. The other sculptures are representations of the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz, Passau’s three rivers. The fountain’s design is in the Baroque style, a fitting tribute to the city’s architectural heritage. This isn’t your everyday fountain, though. It hides some interesting secrets. The figures around the base of the fountain are actually Bradl’s wife and children, sculpted into the fountain. This gives the Wittelsbacherbrunnen a very personal touch. Passau is affectionately known as the ‘city of three rivers’, due to the fact that the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers flow through or meet near the city. This means that the fountain, which celebrates the city’s history, wouldn’t feel complete without these three rivers. It is a monument to Passau’s historical and geographical character.
Veste Oberhaus
High above the Danube stands Veste Oberhaus a fortress that has witnessed centuries of history. Imagine its imposing silhouette against