Passau

Mon 29 Aug 16

Passau

Yes, the weather has changed. It rained overnight and there was even a clap of thunder this morning. The rain eased after breakfast and we went out in search of a laundromat (a change from trying to wash in the bathroom) but it turned out that what we thought would be a laundromat nearby is dry cleaner. So, we then had to walk to the other side of town with directions that weren't accurate as to the location. When we did find what we looking for we realised that we had forgotten the detergent so had to find a supermarket to buy some. Travelling with us is full of excitement and adventure!

We were in Passau in 2012 and both liked it so much that we decided we wanted to come back.

The city is situated on the junction of three rivers and the old part is like a small version of Regensburg, narrow cobblestoned streets lined with pastel shaded buildings.

The rain started up again in the middle of the morning so we decided to go up to the museum in the old fort overlooking the city. 

It consists of five smaller museums which appear to have been renovated (modernised) since we were last here. The item labels are all in German but the explanation panels are also in English. These (in our humble opinion) are the best small museums we have seen. One of the museums gives a detailed explanation of castles and castle life in the Middle Ages and another one has details of the Guilds of craftsmen and tradesmen and how they were organized. A must visit if you are ever in Passau!! Besides, the view over the city is terrific.

The rain cleared in the late afternoon so we are hopeful of fine weather for our next boat trip to Linz on Wednesday.

Dinner was in an old restaurant (recommended by the hotel receptionist) that had been a Bishop's house centuries ago. Very good food and a nice space in which to dine.

Tue 30 Aug 16

Passau

Passau is often affected by flooding and the one in 2013 was the second highest on record. The hotel we are staying at had enough warning to move things from the ground floor up to the first which was just above the flood level. The staff were able to clean up and re-open after two weeks but a restaurant in the street behind the hotel was closed for a year!

It is hard to imagine just how much water that is.

The DOM here has the largest church organ in Europe and there is a half hour concert each day. You don't just listen to the music, you feel it! 

We spent the day wandering around and enjoying ourselves.