Passau

Passau, a town of Bavaria, stands on a rocky tongue of land, on the right bank of the Danube, beside the influx of the Inn, and opposite the confluence of the Ilz with the Danube, close to the frontier of Austria, and 72 miles by rail SE. of Ratisbon. The city proper is connected with its suburbs on the other side of the Inn and the Danube by means of iron bridges; and picturesque hills encircle the whole town. The cathedral was rebuilt after a fire in 1680; the bishop's palace is now in part converted into public offices. The Passau Agreement between the Roman Catholic and Protestant estates of the empire was signed here on 29th July and 15th August 1552. Passau was long an important fortified post, being looked upon as the key of the Danube in that part of its course. There were two strong citadels, one dating from 737, the other from 1215–19, besides other fortified works. The town grew up around an old Roman camp. and in 739 was made the seat of a bishopric founded by St Boniface. The town came into the hands of Bavaria in 1803. It has important manufactures of leather, porcelain, and parquet-floors, besides boats, metal-ware, and mirrors, and considerable trade in salt, timber, corn, and Passau tiles (made at Obernzell). Pop. 15,583.