Veste Oberhaus, Passau (must see)
Veste Oberhaus, an 800-year-old fortress, stands as one of Europe's largest and best-preserved. Perched on Georgsberg, it offers breathtaking views of the old town and the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. St. George's Chapel inside features an extensive fresco cycle depicting the legend of St. George.
With a rich history intertwined with the prince bishops' reign, the fortress symbolized power and protection for almost 600 years. Despite multiple rebellions, it withstood threats and underwent transformations, becoming a formidable stronghold during the Renaissance.
In 1803, it became part of the Kingdom of Bavaria, serving temporarily as a bastion in the Napoleonic Wars. Later, it functioned as a prison, gaining the moniker "Bavaria's Bastille." In 1932, it transformed into the Oberhausmuseum, showcasing Passau's history and the Middle Ages.
Today, Veste Oberhaus is a significant landmark, housing the Oberhausmuseum, Passau Youth Hostel, city observatory, and restaurant "Das Oberhaus." The Georgsberg and Oberhauser Leite form part of the Natura 2000 nature reserve, emphasizing the need for preservation.
With a rich history intertwined with the prince bishops' reign, the fortress symbolized power and protection for almost 600 years. Despite multiple rebellions, it withstood threats and underwent transformations, becoming a formidable stronghold during the Renaissance.
In 1803, it became part of the Kingdom of Bavaria, serving temporarily as a bastion in the Napoleonic Wars. Later, it functioned as a prison, gaining the moniker "Bavaria's Bastille." In 1932, it transformed into the Oberhausmuseum, showcasing Passau's history and the Middle Ages.
Today, Veste Oberhaus is a significant landmark, housing the Oberhausmuseum, Passau Youth Hostel, city observatory, and restaurant "Das Oberhaus." The Georgsberg and Oberhauser Leite form part of the Natura 2000 nature reserve, emphasizing the need for preservation.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Passau. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Veste Oberhaus on Map
Sight Name: Veste Oberhaus
Sight Location: Passau, Germany (See walking tours in Passau)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Passau, Germany (See walking tours in Passau)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Passau, Germany
Create Your Own Walk in Passau
Creating your own self-guided walk in Passau is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Passau Introduction Walking Tour
A charming German town nestled among the rolling hills of Lower Bavaria “between heaven and three rivers,” Passau is a city of natural beauty and religious pilgrimage.
Founded over 2,000 years ago, this is one of the oldest cities in Bavaria. Its history dates back to Roman times when it was a small colony known as "Batavis." The latter word translates from Latin as "for the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Founded over 2,000 years ago, this is one of the oldest cities in Bavaria. Its history dates back to Roman times when it was a small colony known as "Batavis." The latter word translates from Latin as "for the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles