Hotel Wienerwald provided a good breakfast, including eggs and bacon. The hotel is located right in the old central part of Passau, ideal for exporing this lovely place on foot.
Tracey seems to be coming down with a throat/chest infection so she decided to have a rest while Rod and I went to visit the local castle "Veste Oberhaus", built in 1219 by Passau's Prince-Bishops in order to control commerce across the rivers.
It was raining steadily as we headed for the shuttle bus, and we felt very lucky as we watched lots of cycle tourists pass looking miserable in their wet weather gear. In part of the castle is a very well setup museum/display. The museum included the usual stuff (instruments of torture, lots of old weapons, etc) but also included an image of Clint Eastwood dressed as a knight.
Sir Clint of Passau
Another highlight was a dark and cold section, intended to demonstrate what it was like to live in a castle. It was really very good. Most of the explanatory text in the museum is in both German and English. One display detailed the persecution and expulsion of the Jewish minority in the 15th century. There was an allegation of "host desecration", an allegation frequently made against the Jews in those times. All the men in the Jewish community were arrested and imprisoned. Those who, under torture, confessed, and allowed themselves to be baptised, were beheaded. The others were killed less mercifully (details censored by T).
Really big swordsAfter a good look through the museum a wander along the battlements provided great views of Passau and the confluence of three rivers - the Inn, Danube and Ilz.
View of the confluence of the Inn and Danube Rivers.
Rod on the battlments.
European touring bike with high riser handlebars.The Inn is easily the biggest of the three rivers, and tomorrow we follow it further, now renamed the Danube, towards Vienna.
It will be flat easy riding, and hopefully Tracey can keep riding despite her wog.
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