July 13

July 13 - Passau, Germany

Sailing around the bend on the Danube, headed towards Passau

One of the many homes along the river - how do you even get up there?  Much less build this place!

This bridge marks the border between Austria and Germany

Passau, Germany is on a peninsula that sits at the confluence of the Danube, the Inz, and the Inn Rivers

The city's skyline dominated by St. Stephan's Cathedral (three green domes)

The Bishop's Fortress overlooks the city & the river

Flood marks on the wall - note 2013 mark 2nd from the top!

Narrow alleys of the old city decorated with "floating umbrellas"

"Floating" umbrellas carry the residents' hopes for sunshine

Passau Clock Towers

The Bishop's Residenz' Front Door

Note how high it is off the ground......why?  Because the Bishop would NEVER walk up to the door; he'd be driven up in a carriage and this level opening would allow him to simply get out of the carriage and walk into the building!

The Bishop's Residenz

The main staircase - note all the stucco

St. Stephan's Cathedral

The interior of the cathedral - you just can't imagine how GIGANTIC and impressive this is from the photos.....to think this was all hand-made, wow

The Altar

The historic organ with it's 17,974 pipes and 233 stops
It is the largest organ in all of Europe