Nibelungen

		Passau Because of the confluence of three rivers at Passau - the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz - it has the famous nickname "Dreiflüssestadt" (City of Three Rivers). It has been verified that the first settlement at Passau developed in the Neolithic period. The Roman fort Batavis gave the town its name. In 739 Passau became a diocesan town. The Nibelungenlied created a memorial to Bishop Pilgrim of Passau (971-991). In the saga, he is Kriemhild's uncle. On the way to Etzel, Kriemhild stays with Bishop Pilgrim in Passau. There are several clues that the Nibelungenlied may have been written in Passau. Ferdinand Wagner painted some enormous pictures of the Nibelungenlied in the Town Hall around 1890. Prince-bischops once made Passau a city of residence and Italian masters created the city's baroque backdrop in the 17th century. In the centre of the old town is the impressive St Stephen's Cathedral, which houses the largest cathedral organ in the world. High above the rivers are Veste Oberhaus Castle and the Maria Hilf monastery. Founded in 1978, Passau University is one of the newest in Bavaria. Today Passau has a population of about 50,000. This charming city on the Austrian border is one of the most impressive Bavarian cities on the Danube. More information on Passau

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Passau