Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Day 10. Passau

This morning we arrived in Passau. The town of about 50,000 was started again by the Romans around 200 AD and ruled it for several hundred years before abandoning it around 700AD. Later the town became an important port of trade between the Black Sea and the town. The Danube continues from this town for almost 2100kms to the Black Sea. In the time before steam power horses were needed to pull the ships up the river but when the boat arrived in Passau it could travel no further up stream because of the way the bridge was constructed so most boats stopped there. In town there is a place that sells drei im wagel (three in a row) small little sausages with sauerkraut and a beer. This kitchen has operated for nearly 800 years. We took the walking tour in the morning, saw more churches, shops and castles before returning to the ship for lunch. In the afternoon we did an optional tour to a reclaimed Bavarian forest village with more than 150 buildings and shops dating back to the 1400's. It was very hot and muggy so luckily there was a restaurant that served ice cold beer and strudel. It was a good day.

This photo shows the high water marks and the dates of the Danube over the years

Kerry standing in front of a typical long straight Roman street. The tower in the background is the town hall.

Magnificent pipe organ inside Passau Cathedral. We were treated to a 1/2 hour concert.

Bavarian village. Typical house. Construction was of timber and pegs, no nails.

Original farming equipment from the period.

Me besides a working miller waterwheel. The mill is inactive but the water wheel still works.

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