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Veste Oberhaus

Viewpoints ·Passau ·Closed
4.76.6K
#5Viewpoints in Germany

Erwachsene 7 € EUR 7

Tickets from EUR 7
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About

Veste Oberhaus is one of Europe’s largest preserved castle complexes on St. Georgsberg above Passau’s old city, between the Danube and Ilz.

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Veste Oberhaus

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Why go

  • The battlement to Veste Niederhaus forms a double fortress nearly 700 metres long.
  • The Observation Tower gives a 360° panorama over Passau.
  • Explore Passau’s history and medieval life at the castle in the Oberhausmuseum.
  • Early and High Gothic frescoes survive in the inner-courtyard church of St. George.

Plan your visit

Prices

Erwachsene 7 €EUR 7

From the venue's website · checked 16 Oct 2026

Opening hours

Today09:00 – 17:00Show all
Monday09:00 – 17:00
Tuesday09:00 – 17:00
Wednesday09:00 – 17:00
Thursday09:00 – 17:00
Friday09:00 – 17:00
Saturday10:00 – 18:00
Sunday10:00 – 18:00

Shorts

Interesting facts3

1/3
  1. 105 metres

    The fortress stands 105 metres above the valley floor between the Danube and Ilz.

    Veste Oberhaus - Wikipedia
  2. 1250

    Five attacks between 1250 and 1482 failed to capture the fortress.

    Veste Oberhaus - Wikipedia

  3. The Schachner building’s lower floor contains gun batteries.

    Veste Oberhaus - Wikipedia

History

The fortress asserted the bishopric’s military strength and the bishop’s status, guarded against threats, and controlled commerce across the rivers.

  1. 1219Prince-Bishop Ulrich II founded the fortress around a chapel dedicated to St. George.
  2. 1255–56Repeated rebuilding began.
  3. 1298 and 1367Passau citizens rebelled against the bishop and attacked the fortress.
  4. 1535–1540Anabaptists imprisoned in the dungeon developed the Ausbund hymnal, still used in Amish worship.
  5. 1704, 1742 and 1800The fortress surrendered to different forces.
Show all
  1. 1802Secularization ended the bishop’s rule, and Napoleon used the fortress as a border outpost.
  2. 1822–1918From 1822, the fortress served as a state prison for political prisoners and a military penal institution; its prison role continued until 1918, earning it the feared name “Bastille of Bavaria”.
  3. 1932Passau took possession of the fortress and established a museum there.

Tips for your visit

  • For family tours, plan to spend most of the visit outdoors.

With kids

  • An interactive tour explains the medieval and modern parts of the castle and their uses.
  • From age six, children can explore medieval panel paintings and make a small writing tablet.
  • From about age ten, children can shape copper with a hammer and decorate it with ribbons.
  • Children can explore the grounds’ habitat using binoculars and magnifiers.
  • Children can look for plants and animals and make tooth powder from natural ingredients.
  • Medieval craft workshops let children make an item to take home.

What's inside

  • The Oberhausmuseum includes a city museum, an art gallery, regional collections, a firefighting museum and porcelain.
  • The fortress also contains a restaurant, an observatory and a youth hostel.

Know before you go

  • Open Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00; Saturday and Sunday, 10:00–18:00.
  • Adult admission: €7.
  • Buy tickets online through the fortress website.

Tours and audio guides

Family tour
Explore the castle’s drawbridge and well
School programme
Pupils of all ages explore the historic building and museum, meet historical figures and try out tools.

Don't miss

  • Linde Battery terraceLook over Passau’s old town and the meeting of the Danube, Inn and Ilz.Linde Battery

How to get there

  • On footClimb 200 steps from the Schanzlbrücke Danube bridge.
  • CarA road climbs to the fortress from the Ilz side. Address: Oberhaus 125, Passau, Lower Bavaria.

Sources: Veste Oberhaus - Wikipedia · Passau - Wikivoyage (see) · Oberhaus Fortress | Oberhausmuseum Passau · Veste Oberhaus | Oberhausmuseum Passau · Castle | Oberhausmuseum Passau · Veste Oberhaus - Wikipedia · Guided tour of the castle for families | Sun 3 … · Schools | Oberhausmuseum Passau · checked 29 Sep 2026

Where
Oberhaus 125, Passau

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

Which tower at Veste Oberhaus dates from the Middle Ages?

The main watchtower dates to around 1350. The Observation Tower dates to the 18th century.

Does Veste Oberhaus contain an observatory?

Yes, the complex contains an observatory. Contact the fortress about visitor access.

Can you see remains of the former Thingplatz theatre at Veste Oberhaus?

No. The theatre is no longer in use, and no remains are visible.

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