28 Aug – Vilshofen & Passau

Vilshofen

Vilshofen is a small town with a big maypole (l.) and a lot of intimate alleys (r.) that allow for passage between parallel streets that rise with the terrain from the river bank.

We visited on a Sunday and there was sufficient time available for those who desired it to attend Sunday mass at the Catholic church and still make it back to the boat for our sail-away time.

Selfie in a bus stop across from the church
 For those of my dear readers who are thrilled by a well-executed traffic roundabout, this is for you. Vilshofen offered a particularly fine example of efficient German traffic movement design.

Just off the roundabout, there are two war memorials dedicated to those residents who lost their lives in each of the world wars. The WWII site, which contained a large statue, a bubbling fountain and plaques with the names of the deceased, was too shaded against the bright light of the morning sun to photograph. Above is the WWI structure shielding a stone coffin capped with a carved figure representing every soldier that lost their life in the Great War. This monument also listed each deceased soldier’s name.

Other interesting sites:

They grow their dandelions much taller in Bavaria.
 A sculpture down the street from the town hall that Rob used as a prop to check the time on his watch. The genitalia went unnoticed.
 Possible proof that Vulcans visited earth in 1945.

[CORRECTION] To be serious, this bronze plaque set in the sidewalk appears to honor the memory of 47 former Jewish residents of this building who were victims of the Holocaust.
A friend who read the blog translated the above plaque. (See comments) Its significance is actually positive: it memorializes the return of 47 jewish Holocaust survivors in 1945.

Memorial plaques–usually the size of one cobblestone and identifying a person or family–have been placed in front of homes throughout German towns honoring the memory of former Jewish residents who were victims of the Holocaust. We saw a number of these in Wertheim a few days ago.

Of course, it was the “Live Long and Prosper” graphic that first drew our attention.

And, before heading to the boat and our next stop, I had a chance to pose with (left) another of the intersecting alleyways between the major cross streets; and (right) to be photographed under what we believe to be a remnant piece of the original city wall. But who really knows on a Sunday morning. We don’t speak German.

Passau

 St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Gorgeous.

In the oppressive heat, we sought out a small cafe for a cold German beer. We found ourselves in an arts district with mobiles strung across the alleys and street paintings leading to art galleries.

 Looks like a leak from the Partridge family bus.
At the tip of Passau where the Danube–the darker blue water on the left–meets and mingles with the Inn River–the lighter, whitish water on the right. By the way, the Danube is far from its legendary blue color. It’s murky green.

Rob, taking a selfie with the castle in the background, dips his feet into the icy cold water of the two rivers. With the temperature hovering near 90 degrees the entire afternoon, it was wonderfully refreshing!

 The castle across and above Passau.
 Rob on the castle ramparts overlooking Passau.
Finally, here’s a picture for those who might have an interest in all things Irish.

We left Passau–and Germany–behind us as we sailed into Austria.