What to see in Regensburg and Passau

Hi all,

I just saw the first part of a documentary about the Danube River (on German TV). One of the featured towns was Regensburg which is also one of the cruise ship stops. To get more information about this town visit the towns website www.regensburg.de. Next to the historic downtown area and the famous stone bridge (the only bridge over the Danube river between Budapest and the source of the Danube river) one of the musts is the Wurstkuchl (http://www.wurstkuchl.de/) which is the first place in Germany where Bratwurst and Sauerkraut was served. The Bratwurst of Nuremberg might be better and more famous but this is the oldest "restaurant" serving a bratwurst. Another first in Germany place is the Café Prinzess (http://www.cafe-prinzess.de). In 1683 the first café in Europe opened in Vienna. Only three years later in 1686 the Café Prinzess opened as the first café in Germany. It´s famous for its chocolate. Next to the Wurstkuchl and the Stone Bridge you´ll find an old sidewheel steam tug (DS Ruthof / Érsekcsanád) which houses the Danube River Navigation Museum (http://www.donauschiffahrtsmuseum-regensburg.de/) a tiny little museum showing the history of navigation on the Danube river in that area. If you still haven´t cruised enough try one of the local excursion boats and enjoy a city sightseeing tour on the water (http://www.schifffahrtklinger.de/). Of course Regensburg has a lot more to offer like various museums and the palace St. Emmeran of the Prince of Thurn and Taxis (founder of the postal service in Bavaria).

Passau (http://www.passau.de/) is also called the Venice of Bavaria or the city of three rivers (Danube river, Inn river and Ilz river). The city of Passau is featuring a webcam at the town hall place overlooking the Danube river and parts of the cruise ship landings (http://www.kmz.de/webcam/webcam_rathausplatz.htm). With three rivers in town of course a city sightseeing tour by boat is a good way to explore the town in an easy way (http://www.donauschiffahrt.de/). A must is the Passau cathedral featuring the world largest organ (concerts all summer starting in April). The historic downtown area is easy to explore right from the landing (but there are steep cobblestone paths leading up to the cathedral). You can also walk to the confluence of the Inn and the Danube rivers where a little park is located (including a nice playground if you have children with you). Passau is the largest cruise ship port in Germany.

steamboats

Thank you for the travel information. We can never read enough before our cruises

In Regensburg you must go to the "Historical Wurstkurche" - the sausage kitchen, on the river near the old stone bridge. They have outside picnic tables. Great spot. In Passau you MUST see St. Stephan's Cathedral. This church houses the world's largest pipe organ. We were lucky to have a concert when we visited it. WOW - not to be missed. Also in Passau is the glassmuseum. Another nice visit, if you are into that. We were there last year and had our "45th anniversary" lunch (on our own) at a little Italian spot- La Trattoria pasta-bar & restaurant. Sit our side in a little garden. Very nice. Two very nice towns. Willard

Do you mind if I tell you something about taking photos in Regensburg? When we approached, got off the ship, started walking to town, I took a couple pictures of the stone bridge. I took two very nice pics and then said, Oh, I will get more when we get closer as we leave port. Well, the ships backs up and then goes down the Danube Canal and we never got closer. I am thankful for the two that I have but wanted more. So, when you get into town take the pics you want because you will not get closer. Plus you get caught up in all the beauty of the town. I also would have liked to at least have walked part way across the bridge and didn't do that. BUt, that is o'k because some day we are going back!!?? :D

S&B,

You should never wait for a better photo opportunity! If it really shows up then take another photo. Especially if you got a digital camera the number of photos you can take is nearly unlimited as long as you carry enough storage cards with you.

I forgot something about Regensburg. Shortly downriver of Regensburg you will see the "Walhalla" a greek revival building standing on the bluffs of the Danube river (http://www.walhalla-regensburg.de/). In order of King Ludwig I architect Leo von Klenze built this hall to honor important people of the Bavarian history. The meaning of Walhalla is hall of the death. The building features more than 120 busts of kings, musicians, authors, inventors or other important people of the history like Sophie Scholl. So keep your eyes open on an upriver cruise shortly before you arrive in Regensburg or on an downriver cruise shortly after departure.

When you continue your travel upriver on the Danube river you reach the head of commercial navigation at Kelheim (http://cms.kelheim.de/). Here all ships do enter the Rhine-Main-Danube-Canal. In former times the Altmuehl river flew into the Danube river but since the completion of the canal the former Altmuehl river is gone. The nice historic downtown area can be easily walked. The main attraction of Kelheim is the Befreiungshalle (Hall of Liberation, http://www.schloesser.bayern.de/englisch/palace/objects/kelheim.htm). Again commissioned by King Ludwig I architect Friedrich Gaertner started this round building which was finished by Leo von Klenze. The building commemorates the Wars of Liberation versus Napoleon in 1813-1815. Kelheim is also the place the Danube gorge starts. As this is a national park area only 5 boats are allowed to go through and the schedules are limited. The boats depart at the Danube river landing in Kelheim (http://www.schiffahrt-kelheim.de/). The scenic boat trip through the Danube Gorge is ending at Weltenburg Abbey (http://www.areion.org/weltenburg/) which is dominating a scenic bend of the Danube river at the upper entrance of the gorge. It is the oldest abbey in Bavaria featuring the famous church decorated by the Asam brothers. Do not miss the restaurant and beergarden Klosterschenke (http://www.klosterschenke-weltenburg.de/) also featuring the sweet dark beer brewed in the monastery (http://www.weltenburger.de/). A nice little souvenir shop next to the church is featuring any kind of religious artifacts, candles and books.

Shortly after Kelheim you lock through the first canal lock. Following the canal "upriver" you pass one of the most scenic areas. High bluffs surround the former Altmuehl river valley. Some of the bluffs are topped with castles and ruins. One of the most famous castles is Prunn Castle (http://www.schloesser.bayern.de/englisch/palace/objects/prunn.htm). First documented in 1037 this is the oldest castle. A part of a manuscript of the Niebelungenlied was found in this castle. Near the village of Essing (http://www.marktessing.de/) you pass under the longest wooden bridge of Europe with about 200 m of length. Some of the cruise ships make a stop in Riedenburg (http://www.riedenburg.de/). When the canal was built suddenly the main part of the town was one block away from the water. The city council decided to add a block to the canalfront and you really have to look close to realize that these buildings are merely 10 years old. They perfectly fit into the historic downtown area. Riedenburg is surrounded by three castles. The most famous is Rosenburg castle (http://www.schloesser.bayern.de/englisch/palace/objects/rosenbu.htm) which is now the home of a falconry (http://www.falkenhof-rosenburg.de/). The falconry is doing daily shows. It´s about a 20 min uphill walk from the landing (if you´re walking fast, walking is not recommended for people with disablities). Riedenburg is also featuring a number of tiny specialty museums, like the crystal museum (http://www.kristallmuseum-riedenburg.de/), a sound museum featuring differnt kinds of music machines (http://www.audio-creativ.de/museum.html), a sea museum featuring fossils and ammonites of the Altmuehltal valley (http://www.meeresmuseum-ozeania.de/). Leaving Riedenburg you pass another lock. Shortly after the lock you will see the Castle Eggersberg up on the bluffs (http://www.schloss-eggersberg.com/) which is now used as a hotel and restaurant.

I have done this part of the canal with a local excursion boat out of Kelheim (you can start at about 9 am for Weltenburg Abbey on the Danube river, have an early lunch or Brotzeit - as we call it -, return to Kelheim and stay on the boat up to Riedenburg for about an 2 hour stop and return to Kelheim at about 7 pm). Do not ask me anything above that on the canal as I haven´t done that yet. The next town where the cruise ships sometimes stop is Beilngries (http://www.beilngries.de/) and then Nuremberg (http://www.nuernberg.de/).

steamboats

Here´s a piece of history about the canal:

Rhine-Main-Donau-Canal

Let´s start with some of the history of this canal. In the year 793 Karl der Große (Charlemagne) commissioned the building of a canal between the rivers Schwaebische Rezat and Altmuehl. This canal was called "fossa carolina" or "Karlsgraben". It´s not sure if this canal has ever been finished. King Ludwig I was the second who had the idea of a canal connecting the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. He commissoned the construction of the Ludwig Canal in 1836 finished in 1846. Unfortunately this poject was never very successful. The choosen route needed a lot of locks (101 locks on 177 km). Plagued with permanently low water and because of the small width of the canal soon the upcoming railroad took over the business. Next to the Danube river landing in Kelheim and on the way to Riedenburg you still can see the remains of the Ludwig Kanal. Some of the wooden locks are still visibile. The construction of the current canal started in 1960 and finished in 1992.

steamboats

Thank you all for the great information and links. With our trip only 2 months away I'm learning so much and can't wait to get there.

Thanks, Steamboats. I enjoyed the tour so much. I cruised these places in 2004 and your web sites brought back memories.

And here´s another link for all of you who are going on a Christmas Time cruise:

http://www.christkindlesmarkt.de/

The most famous Christmas market of all, the one in Nuremberg.

And again, as I just saw on the Amadeus website stating that most Christmas markets are open starting Nov 19 this is not true!!!! Christmas markets traditionally do start on the first weekend of Advent (on Friday). This is Dec 1st in 2006. They all end on Dec 23 or Dec 24 by noon. See the website for the one in Nuremberg, it´s Dec 1 - Dec 23!

This is the same for Regensburg where you can visit three markets (see http://www.lucrezia-markt.de/ and http://www.christkindlmarkt-regensburg.de/ and the third one at Thurn und Taxis Palace http://www.thurnundtaxis.de/). And this is the website for all Christmas market freaks:

http://www.weihnachtsmarkt-international.de/bayern.html

listing markets all over Germany and international (unfortunatley not all websites are available in English).

steamboats

Hi all,

I just saw a documentary featuring those two topics:

1) A floating mill on a boat. It´s a reconstruction serving as a tourist attraction. Those kind of mills were quite common on European rivers. Some were static, some did move to their customers. It´s located close to Vienna

http://www.schiffmuehle.at/

2) If you have a shore tour to Salzburg not knowing where to eat have a look at this special restaurant and what you can make out of cones!

http://www.finestfingerfood.com/

steamboats

Steamboats,

Thanks for your awesome reviews. You have an amazing knowledge of river cruise and I say thank you for sharing it w/ us.

I am still hoping to take our 1st river cruise in Germany to see the Black Forest area. You gave me information a while back on this. I am now compiling a Word document so I can refer to all this great stuff!

Thanks again.

Mary

Question for Steamboats and/or anyone else!

Hi,

I have been doing research on a river cruise & have just received some definitive information as to exactly where my husband's grandfather lived in Germany.

We visited his elderly aunt yesterday and she had pictures of of her father that said he was from Crimmitschau, Saxony, Germany. I looked on a map and Crimmitschau is on the east coast of Germany and about a 3 hr. drive from Prague. So with that information in mind, is it possible to find a river cruise w/ an itinerary that would possibly touch some of that area?

What river cruise itinerary would you suggest? I was originally looking into a Rhine River but now am not sure.

Thanks so much for any advice. Do you have any websites or suggestions for finding out more about Crimmitschau. I found a couple of websites but they were in German!

Mary

Mary,

Crimmitschau is on the Autobahn from Erfurt to Dresden near Gera. The closest navigable river is the Elbe river. Deilmann and Viking are cruising the Elbe river. Deilmann has one itinerary Dresden - Hamburg (or vice versa). Out of Dresden you can take a rental car and drive up to Crimmitschau. I´d add maybe two nights at Dresden and explore the country by car there. The other itinerary is Prague - Berlin (Magdeburg) which is one with slight differences both by Deilmann and Viking. But anyway you won´t have enough time in Dresden to take a rental car and drive to Crimmitschau.

steamboats