Passau, Bavaria: where the Inn meets the Danube

By comparison with the magnificent towns recently visited, little Passau is pretty but unremarkable. It is its glorious setting which makes it special: it is at the confluence of three rivers, although the third - the Ilz, which joins from the north - cannot compare with the two others.

But Passau's idyllic setting can also be a curse. After heavy rains, the town is at risk of flooding. Last year, June 2013, saw one of its worst floods ever, when the rivers' level rose by 12.85 metres (42 feet): you can look and be amazed at this and various other historical flood water levels painted on the wall of the Town Hall. Today there is very little evidence of the damage inflicted.

This photo is taken from the north bank of the Danube, which is the nearer of the rivers seen. It flows eastwards from right to left. The river further back is the Inn.


Passau is very close to the border between Germany and Austria, and within easy reach of the Czech border. An ideal spot for a relaxing holiday.