The Passau region in Lower Bavaria has an important historical location on the border with Austria and the Czech Republic, where the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers converge. This region is full to the brim with castles, palaces and abbeys, relics of glorious times which invite you to embark on a unique tour of the castles and gardens.
Ortenburg Castle
Besides the castle chapel with its magnificent coffered wooden ceiling, the renaissance Ortenburg Castle is home to a museum, that allows you to look behind the scenes at life in court. The magnificent gardens and the adjacent wild animal park in a former kitchen garden invite you to relax and wile away the hours.
Cistercian Monastery of Aldersbach
The historic monastery complex includes, alongside the modern brewery of the Aretin family, the beautiful "Modler" and "Salomon" rooms and quite possibly Germany’s prettiest Marienkirche (church dedicated to St. Mary) – the Asamkirche.
The largest and most important castle in the region towers high over the River Inn: Neuburg Castle, with its unique restored marble halls from the renaissance period, and the district art gallery. The Paradise Gardens, which feature a wonderfully colourful grotto, provide fantastic views over the river and the nearby Inntal Valley. This wonderful place, which brings together nature and art, is one of the most popular garden tours in the region.
Obernzell Castle
In the 15th century, the Prince-Bishops of Passau had a Gothic moated castle built on the River Danube. Later it was expanded into a Renaissance castle and became the summer residence of the Bishops of Passau. The Free State of Bavaria acquired the castle and turned it into a branch of the Bavarian National Museum, where changing special exhibitions and ceramics are displayed, from their early beginnings in the Neolithic Period through to the present day.
Ruined castle of Hilgartsberg
Relic of a great past: The medieval castle complex with three gates, a kennel and strong circular walls is now a mere shadow of its former self. The old Bamberg castle bore witness to many noble families in the course of the centuries (the Sulzbacher, Staufer, Ortenburger, Wittelsbacher and their custodians, as well as the Swabian Fugger family).
