2. WEST FACE
The original impressive three-aisle basilica was built in the 900s, but after a town fire in 1181, was reconstructed in Gothic style over several centuries. The cathedral is hemmed in at the sides, but this clear view is from Cathedral Square to the West. The West façade is 67.7 metres across.
3. STATUE AND TOWERS
The approach to the Cathedral is guarded by St. Maximilian of Lorch († 288). He was beheaded by the Roman Prefect Numerian after refusing to abandon Christianity and sacrifice to the pagan gods. The Cathedral towers contain the largest bells in South Germany, dating from 1896.
4. WEST GABLE
The gable is in Upper Italian style with a flat relief on the triangular gable, and three Bavarian patron saints above dating from 1898. At centre is the Madonna and Child, at left St Stephen, and at right St Severin.
5. WEST FACE BISHOP
On the West face of each tower is a niche containing a sculpted figure. Historically, the incongruity of a bishop carrying a shepherd’s staff and a sword appears not to have been a problem.
6. CATHEDRAL DOORS
The Cathedral doors are quite spectacular in their design and construction.
7. SOUTH AND EAST
To the South of the Cathedral is a narrow alley-way, passing through a ‘barrel vault’ arch under the South tower. The view from Residence Square to the East looks past a fountain known as Mary’s Well by Bradl (1903). [Cathedral photos]
8. COURTYARD FOUNTAIN
In the Northern courtyard is a concrete and bronze fountain with the four patron saints of Passau. • Saint Stephen, protomartyr of Christianity. • Saint Severinus of Noricum (c. 410-482), known as the ‘Apostle to Noricum’, and patron saint of Bavaria. • Saint Valentine of Rhaetia († c. 475), first bishop of Passau; patron saint of the diocese of Passau. • St. Maximilian von Lorch. [III]
9. COURTYARD MEMORIALS I
The large courtyard to the North of the Cathedral is lined with various ancient memorial tablets, sheltered by an overhanging verandah.
10. COURTYARD MEMORIALS I
Some of the memorials are quite ornate.
11. COURTYARD MEMORIALS I
A much used entry to the Cathedral is through the North door which opens into the courtyard. Several chapels also open to this courtyard (see the Plan), but unfortunately I didn’t visit these.
12. ENTRY
We enter the cathedral past the ornate door with a marine theme, and then St Peter welcomes us, wearing his defining Keys.
13. WEST DOORS
The West doors are closed, but we move to the back of the nave to begin our tour of the interior.
14. PRAYER CORNER
Just South of the main West entry, and tucked under the organ gallery, is the Prayer Corner. There are two main features here: the popular image, Mary Consolation (Our Lady with the Cherry) by Georg Urtlmayer, Passau 1678, and the crucifix attributed to Passau master Jörg Huber. [a, b]
15. BAROQUE
It is here that we experience our first taste of the Baroque decoration in this Cathedral. [b]
16. PRAYER CORNER CEILING
It is hard not to marvel at the amount of work that has gone into creating this detail and beauty, yet we have hardly entered the Cathedral! [b]
17. NAVE
So we emerge from under the organ gallery, and look down the wide nave aisle. This is an impressive Church! We note the massive pillars connected by dividing arches, and above this the cornice right around, and hanging domes above. A golden pulpit is seen centre left, and the sanctuary ahead. The Cathedral is 101.45 m long. [I]
18. NAVE ROOF
Whenever entering a Cathedral I look up to the roof, but they are seldom as jaw-dropping as this one. Where to start?! [I]
19. FONT AND NORTH AISLE
Systematically, we move past the font to the North aisle. The font is relatively simple in design, with cherubic faces looking out from the supporting pillar. We approach the first of a number of altars which line the walls of the nave.
20. ABOVE ST SEBASTIAN’S ALTAR
The overhead painting and decoration is quite overwhelming. This is above the St Sebastian Altar.