Danube Limes World Heritage Tour: Stage 1 Passau-Schlögen
4040 Linz
Stage 1: Danube Limes - In the realm of the Romans
Recommended season:
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- Multi-stage route
- Scenic
- Refreshment stops available
- Cultural/historical value
- Geological highlights
- Botanical highlights
- Faunistic highlights
The first stage of this enjoyable river bike tour in search of the fascination of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Danube Limes leads from the three-river city of Passau downstream through the deep Danube gorge of the Upper Danube to the famous natural wonder of Schlögener Donauschlinge. Here on the Roman side of the legendary military frontier, the landscape, excavations, visualisations, ... allow visitors to feel the world of the Romans. In addition, St Severin offers very personal video insights into his time.
Highlights:
- Old town peninsula of Passau (fortified town of Batavis + Roman harbour)
- Boiotro fort with Roman museum (in-depth insights into the local Roman world, visualisations)
- Upper Danube Valley European nature reserve (Danube Limes, natural highlight)
- Burgus Oberranna (excavation site, visualisations)
- Natural wonder Schlögener Donauschlinge & Schlögen Roman Park (excavation site, visualisations)
- Roman resting places with insights into Roman life
- Video insights of St Serverin into his time
Three-Rivers City Passau – The often-photographed old town peninsula between the Danube and Inn invites exploration with its famous landmarks and winding medieval streets. Artistic historical facades, imposing grand buildings such as St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Prince-Bishop's Residence, the Town Hall, and Veste Oberhaus reflect the prosperity brought by the three rivers – Danube, Inn, and Ilz – and the centuries-long center of spiritual and secular power!
From the main train station, cycle through the newer "street canyons" of the old town peninsula down to the Inn – to the Marienbrücke.
The bike route takes us in a loop through the medieval Passau Innstadt to the Roman Museum at the Boiotro Fort – a Roman highlight! The excavation site and museum make the world of the Romans in Passau tangible and provide key insights into the fascination of the "Danube Limes." Just let yourself be immersed ;-)
Tip 1: The bike racks are located in the direction of travel, seemingly behind the museum – so complete the Innstadt loop.
Tip 2: At the peak of the Innstadt loop, a short detour to the Church of St. Severin is worthwhile. Unfortunately, it is often locked.
"Mens sana in corpore sano" (= a healthy mind in a healthy body) – After the "mental" museum, the "physical" cycling fun begins. Briefly through an urban residential area, then, right after the railway crossing, we reach the tree-lined Danube bank. It's worth taking a detour to the water in the small park-like area – a wonderful view of the three rivers of Passau! The Inn, Danube, and Ilz can be beautifully distinguished by their different water colors. Did the watchmen of the nearby Boiodurum fort also ponder this play of colors?
We leave the Roman settlement area and follow the Danube Limes downstream – partly through quaint riverside forest, partly through urban commercial areas. At the municipal sewage treatment plant, a sign points to the excavation site of the "Roman Watchtower." This was part of the watchtower chain along the Danube Limes. Unfortunately, due to its location in an operational area, it can only be visited with prior arrangement. Tip: A model of this watchtower in the Roman Museum at Boiotro Fort illustrates its function.
With the border crossing into Austria, the landscape becomes more natural: We cycle into the deeply carved Danube Gorge of the "Upper Danube Valley" – one of the longest breakthrough valleys of the Danube at over 90 km! The steep southern bank is characterized by spruce forests, while the inaccessible steep slopes of the northern bank have preserved the last (!) large slope and gorge forests of Central Europe. The valley floor is filled by the mighty Danube. No wonder this valley was designated a European protected area! The comfortable bike path generally follows the Nibelungenstraße due to space constraints. Occasionally, it goes over small side roads across one of the few alluvial terraces. Enjoyably cycling downstream, breathtaking Danube and valley flank views, narrow passages, alluvial terraces, and castles fuel the spirit of discovery. In the flow of Danube cycling, the natural protective effect of the wide Danube becomes apparent – a wet Limes. Just as rest stops were important components of the Roman road network, so today Roman rest areas line the bike path. They offer various insights into Roman life: Danube border, customs, early Christianity, etc. A bit further, the mighty Jochenstein Power Plant impresses. It is essentially a tribute to Roman engineering: surveying technology, opus caementicium (Roman concrete), aqueducts, water wheels, mill wheels, etc. come to mind. It's amusing to realize that Roman concrete sometimes lasts longer than modern concrete ;-). Shortly after the power plant, a replica of a Roman milestone reminds us of the Roman road running nearby. It was not only an important military and trade route but also the retreat route for the last Romans of Passau on their way to Lauriacum (Enns).
The charming Danube market in Engelhartszell invites you to pause – almost at the midpoint of the stage. The historic facades in the town center tell of prosperity as a medieval toll station. The local Engelszell Monastery is famous for its breathtaking abbey church – a Rococo jewel of Austria! Tip: It’s a must-see. Afterward, the terrain gets hillier. The manageable ascents are rewarded with enjoyable descents. Next stop: "Burgus Oberranna" – a Roman highlight! A protective structure allows you to experience the excavation site of a unique Quadriburgus in Austria up close. It also shows that this fortification of the Danube Limes was by no means just a minimalist utility building. Lifestyle, a Roman fundamental right.
The final stretch of this stage continues to be hilly. Passing the old ferry point Wesenufer, we head to the final highlight – the famous natural wonder Schlögener Danube Loop and the Roman Park Schlögen! Here, the Danube changes its flow direction twice within a few kilometers by nearly 180°. The Romans recognized the strategic potential and built a fort (100 – 150 men) and a port at the first bend. The excavations in the Roman Park bring this fortification and life within it closer. A grand finale!
Tip:Journeys of discovery with an enjoyable stopover! This tour leads directly past the following culinary partner:
Safety guidelines:
Signposting:
To make orientation easier for you, this themed cycle route has been signposted with its own cycle guidance system. There are adaptations for the Bavarian and Upper Austrian state cycle guidance systems.
Special note:
Attention! Cross the border between Upper Austria and Bavaria at Passau. Don't forget your passport!
Additional information:Tip: If you don't know the splendour of Passau, you should at least make a detour to the cathedral on this route! Little known today: the old town peninsula was already a valuable settlement area thousands of years ago - it offered excellent trading opportunities due to the confluence of the three rivers, is flood-proof due to its elevated position and offered natural protection as a peninsula. Before the Romans, the large late Celtic settlement of Boiodurum was located here (the centre was on the Domberg). The Celts abandoned it around 50 - 30 BC for reasons that are still unknown. The Romans occupied what is now Passau around 50 AD and built a small fort at the centre of Boiodurum. A flourishing civilian settlement and Danube harbour developed in the surrounding area. At this time, relations with the free Germanic tribes were relatively relaxed. If you look back from the Marienbrücke bridge, you can easily recognise the elevated position of the peninsula, including the Domberg and the Ortsspitz.
With the crossing of the Inn, we not only move from the Roman province of Raetia to the province of Noricum, but also from the Gallic customs district (Atlantic - Inn) to the Illyrian customs district (Inn - Black Sea). This meant that inland customs duties had to be paid for transfer goods. This could be a lucrative business for the tenants of the customs stations. No wonder, then, that customs officers did not have the best reputation! Around 90 AD, the threat situation intensified and the Danube Limes was expanded. Here on the southern bank of the Inn, at the mouth of the Inn into the Danube, a second fort (300 soldiers) measuring around 14,000 square metres was built together with a surrounding civilian settlement. This took on the name Boiodurum.
From the middle of the 2nd century, a third, larger fort (1,000 soldiers) was built on the peninsula - Batavis. The Roman base grew steadily into an important shipping, transport and trading centre.
The Roman Empire began to crumble for the first time in the middle of the 3rd century: Internal battles weakened the empire and the Germanic tribes increasingly invaded the provinces. During this time, the Alemanni destroyed the two forts on the peninsula (Batavis + Ortsspitz), the fort on the southern bank of the Inn (Boiodurum) and the associated civilian settlements. The result: a reorganisation of the border defence! The number of troops in the forts was reduced, but quickly available auxiliary troops were installed in the hinterland. The forts were reduced in size but reinforced. Alternatively, the civilian settlements were relocated to the forts - fortified towns were born. Thus, at the end of the 3rd century, the massive fortress town of Batavis was built on the peninsula and the small castle-like fort of Boiotro on the southern bank of the Inn. Incidentally, Boiotro is a diminutive of Boiodurum. Well, the Romans also liked to joke.
In 476 AD, the Roman Empire collapsed with the deposition of the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus. The Germanic tribes followed suit and took over supremacy. A world power full of light and shadow faded.
Severinus was active during this time of collapse. The Roman missionary had a small monastery built in Boiotro. The church of St Severin, not far from the fort of Boiotro, was probably built on its foundations. When Batavis could no longer be held militarily, he organised the retreat of the Roman population to Lauriacum (Enns). He was later canonised for his deeds.
Tip: Severinus of Noricum offers us very personal video insights into his turbulent times in three selected places!
These AR insights can only be found here:
- Fort Boiotro with Roman Museum
- Roman castle Oberranna
- Roman Park Schlögen
further information:
- Multi-day tour
- Board possible
Radon-Service-Partner
On 21 April 1854, Princess Elisabeth of Bavaria started her journey to Vienna as the future bride of Emperor Franz Joseph I. A particularly festive reception was prepared for the young Sissi in the border customs office and market of Engelhartszell.
In memory of this event, a café named "Sissi" has now been set up in the former grocer's shop of the Atteneder family with great attention to detail.
Guests at the "Sissi" cafe can expect a variety of breakfasts, hot dishes at lunchtime, homemade pastries, wines from Hebenstreit, Engelszell monastery liqueurs and Trappist beers.
Tauchen Sie ein in Simons Pralinenwelt. Genießen Sie Schokoladen, Marzipan, Nougat, Nüsse, Mandeln sowie feinste Destillate und Liköre in ihrer schönsten Form und Vollendung. Kommen Sie in die Confiserie Simon und lassen Sie sich unsere Köstlichkeiten auf der Zunge zergehen.
- hausgemachte Kuchen und Torten
- Eisspezialitäten
- handgeschöpfte Schokoladen und edle Pralinen
Betritt man das Café, wo bis vor einigen Jahren die Dompost residierte, findet man sich in einem farbenprächtigen Spektakel wie aus tausendundeiner Nacht wieder. Café und Terrasse bieten einen wunderschönen Blick auf den Inn und den Dom St. Stephan.
Our house is located on the Danube Cycle Path and the Danube Trail, close to the boat landing stages of
Engelhartszell I, II and III.
Our menu offers vegetarian and Asian specialities. Of course, we also serve traditional typical Austrian dishes.
Various coffee specialities and homemade pastries in our café will sweeten your stay with us.
Our shady garden provides the necessary cooling on hot summer days.
More than 700 years of history:
Engelszell Abbey looks back on an eventful past—from its founding in 1293, through its dissolution in the 18th century, to its reestablishment by Trappist monks in the 20th century. To this day, its spiritual and economic traditions continue to shape the life of the monastic community.
Whether in the shadow of the mighty abbey church or in the historic abbey cellar. You are sure to find a pleasant place where you can savour the abbey's own liqueurs and home-brewed beers. Of course, we also offer desserts and snacks as refreshments in between. The adjoining shop at the Stiftspforte invites you to browse and shop.
Are you longing for active, relaxing holidays directly on the Danube?
Gasthof-Pension Klaffenböck in Kasten an der Donau 15, 4091 Vichtenstein offers you the perfect conditions for your holiday pleasure. Whether sporty on the bike, or just relaxing by the river... Enjoy your holiday on the Danube!
Holidays on the Danube - at the Gasthof-Pension Klaffenböck in Kasten
Innviertel hospitality and cosiness await you in our family- and cyclist-friendly excursion inn, ideally located on the Nibelungen federal road, only 40 metres from the Danube beach.
Our comfortable, quiet guest rooms for one or two persons are equipped with shower/WC, satellite TV and radio, as well as partly with balcony with a view directly onto the Danube. In the morning, an extended breakfast awaits you.
Furthermore, enjoy the extensive menu in our cosy, rustic guest room, which is still heated with a tiled stove.
Located directly on the Nibelungen highway between Passau and Linz, you can also make sure your car doesn't run out of petrol at our petrol station.
Cosy - hospitable - comfortable! Gasthof-Pension Klaffenböck in Kasten on the Danube
N E W since April 2012: E-bike rental
In the 1950s, the inn was nicknamed the "Dreimäderlhaus" (three-wheeled house) because of the innkeeper's three pretty daughters, which aroused the curiosity of many a young boy and prompted him to stop in. In 1960, daughter Hedwig and her husband Eduard Schlager, who was the first to drive the workers of the Quelle mail-order company to Linz and back on weekdays with his own bus, took over the innkeeping business after his untimely death in 1976. During this time, extensive conversion and renovation work was carried out. Peter Schlager took over the business from his mother in 1995. The inn, located directly on the Nibelungen federal road, is an insider's tip for the many fishing enthusiasts who try their luck at the adjacent ponds of the Donauschlinge. With well-organised musical mornings in the summer months, the innkeeper always succeeds in attracting mainly guests from the community and from neighbouring Haibach ob der Donau. They are treated to good home cooking and a speciality of the house, home-roasted Steckerlfischen. In winter, the aforementioned ponds and the in-house ice rinks are an Eldorado for curling. On fine winter days, up to a hundred curlers can be found here, and of course the Schlager Inn provides them with warm and cold drinks.
Opening hours daily from 9:00 a.m. (closed from October to the end of April on Mondays)Restaurant: 45 seats
Guest garden: 100 seats
Warm cuisine daily / Specialities/SmankerlFish specialities (Steckerlfische), Bradl in der Rhein, Kisten-Sau, Sauschädlessen, Ripperlessen (with advance reservation) Additional services
8 beds with shower/WC fishing possibility (sale of fishing cards), - overnight stay € 29.00
E-bike charging station, ...
Cosy inn with a family atmosphere and regional cuisine.
Ideal starting point for bike tours (bike rental) and hikes.
Swimming pool, vitality area, sauna-vitarium, relaxation oasis, vitamin bar, sun terrace and sunbathing lawn.
Seating inside the inn: 40
Seating outside: 20
12 beds, shower/WC, phone, TV.
Im KaffeeWerk geht es um guten Kaffee. Unsere Baristi bereiten jede Portion frisch für Euch zu. Die Kaffeebohnen kommen aus der eigenen Rösterei. Entflieht dem städtischen Trubel, geht über die Marienbrücke in die schöne Innstadt, setzt Euch entspannt mit einem Eiskaffee an unsere Tische oder in unsere Liegestühle.
Startet, pausiert oder endet hier gemütlich Eure Rad- oder Stadttour.
- Spezialitätenkaffee
- Selbstgemachte Kuchen
- Große regionale Bierauswahl
Our offer:
Meat and sausage specialties
Let us spoil you with home-style Upper Austrian cuisine in the cosy guest rooms or in the beautiful guest garden.
In good weather, we have a barbecue every Thursday from 18:00.
Ample parking is available directly in front of the house.
We look forward to your visit!
Laden Sie den Akku Ihres E-Bikes auf, damit Ihrer Weiterreise entlang der Deutschen Limes-Straße nichts im Wege steht!
[>> Weitere Informationen auf der Internetseite der Deutschen Limes-Straße]
The bike repair shop is located directly on the Danube cycle path from Passau to Vienna.
E-bikes as well as trekking bikes for young and old can be rented.
Booking is very straightforward!
Simply call and book in advance.
004377178037 or 004367761166508 Mr. Thomas
Information: Marktgemeinde Engelhartszell
Tel.: +43 (0) 77 17 / 80 55-16
Der Natur was zurückgeben…
Die Uferbereiche der Donau sind durch verschiedene wasserbauliche Maßnahmen stark vom Menschen beeinflusst. Die Donauschlucht bietet naturgemäß aufgrund ihres tief eingegrabenen Engtals wenige Austandorte. Durch Flussregulierungen, Verbauungen und Anpflanzung von standortfremden Bäumen (z.B. Fichten) sind aber auch die passenden Standorte gefährdet oder verloren gegangen. Heute finden sich nur noch Reste von Auenlandschaften. Die Au hat aber wichtige Funktionen im Landschaftshaushalt wie Wasserrückhalt, Selbstreinigung, Gewässerstabilisierung und ist Lebensraum für bedrohte Tier- und Pflanzenarten. Die Ufer der Donau sind fast durchgehend mit Blockwurf abgesichert und oft nur noch von schmalen Gehölzstreifen begleitet. Heute werden wieder vermehrt Flachwasserzonen und Sedimentationsflächen wie Inseln, Buchten und Schotterbänke geschaffen. Viele dieser Projekte sind in Planung oder Umsetzung, in Engelhartszell und Kramesau wurden solche bereits durchgeführt.
Oberhalb der Burg Rannariedl stand einst ein mächtiges Schloss, das von Feinden ausgeraubt und niedergebrannt wurde - wie der Sohn des Ritters überlebte und was eine tapfere Magd mit der ganzen Geschichte zu tun hat, lesen Sie in der Donau-Sage "Der verborgene Schatz".
Info: Gemeindeamt Haibach ob der Donau
Tel.: +43 (0) 72 79 / 82 35
A guates Tröpferl...
Das Donautal hat ein äußerst ästhetisches Erscheinungsbild, das seinen Höhepunkt wohl hier in der Schlögener Schlinge findet. Hier zeigt sich die Kraft und Schönheit der Natur. Gewässer sind seit jeher für den Menschen von Bedeutung gewesen. Durch die Schifffahrt kam und kommt auch heute noch der Donau eine wichtige Rolle zu. Eine weniger bekannte Nutzung im Donautal ist der Anbau von Wein. Zwischen 1000 und 1300 n. Chr., in der mittelalterlichen Wärmezeit, wurde in den Durchbruchstälern und in den niederen Lagen Oberösterreichs Wein angebaut. Auf der Höhe von Inzell, am linken Hang des Donautales gab es eine kleinräumige Weinanlage mit Mauern und Treppenverbindungen. Heute ist sie komplett mit Gebüsch überwuchert. In Hilkering, nahe Aschach wird aktuell wieder Wein angebaut.
Hoch oben, inmitten der Schlögener Schlinge thront das sogenannte Kerschbaumer Schlössl - wie es zu seinem Namen kam, und was "Der verfluchte Kirschenkern" damit zu tun hatte, erfahren Sie in der gleichnamigen Donau-Sage.
Seit 1358 lädt Passaus historische Weinschenke mit urigem Stiftskeller in altem Gewölbe und Weingarten zum gemütlichen Verweilen ein.
- stiftseigene Weine
- fangfrische Fische
- regionale Schmankerl und ländliche Spezialitäten
- bayerisch-österreichische Mehlspeisen
- am Anfang der Fußgängerzone gelegen
Das Römermuseum Kastell Boiotro befindet sich in einem spätmittelalterlichen Haus, das auf den Fundamenten des Kastells Boiotro ruht.
Das um 280 n. Chr. erbaute Kastell gaben die Römer bereits um 375 wieder auf. Wie die Lebensbeschreibung des Hl. Severin berichtet, ließ er in der Ruine im ausgehenden 5. Jh. ein Kloster errichten. Führungen jeden 1. und 3. Mittwoch um 17:00 Uhr
The history of the Roman Empire at the Danube Limes UNESCO World Heritage Site is exciting. And it becomes even more exciting when it is brought to life with augmented reality. Between Passau and Schlögen, modern technology is now being used to breathe new life into them. Follow Severinus of Noricum to immerse yourself in the eventful history of the Danube Limes World Heritage Site and see what is still there today. Uncomplicated, simple and playfully explained - this makes history really enjoyable!
Find out more at www.donauregion.at/welterberunde
The rest areas consist of an exposed concrete column, reminiscent of a Roman milestone, bearing a Roman head created by artist Miguel Horn and containing information about the local community, the Danube cycle path and the Romans, as well as a 5 metre long rest bench made of concrete and stone and a paved floor made of Danube pebbles. The architecture is based on design elements from Roman times.
The design for the Roman rest areas was the result of a competition organised jointly with the University of Art and Design Linz and won by student Lukas Beltrame. An important partner in the construction of the squares is the construction academy in Steyregg, which produced all the built-in parts for the squares with its apprentices.
Das Donautal hat ein äußerst ästhetisches Erscheinungsbild, das seinen Höhepunkt wohl hier in der Donauschlinge Schlögen findet. Hier zeigt sich die Kraft und Schönheit der Natur.
Die Donauschlinge Schlögen wurde 2008 zum „Naturwunder Oberösterreich´s“ ernannt. Diese – epigenetische Durchbruchstal genannt – Rarität ist entstanden, als sich die Donau in den weichen Schichten des Tertiär ihr mäanderförmiges Bett suchte und dieses später auf dem harten Granitgestein beibehalten musste. Durch die nachfolgende Hebung der Landmasse grub sich die Donau fast 300 m tief ein und schuf auf diese Weise das Engtal, welches in der Schlögener Donauschlinge nahezu einen vollen Kreis bildet.
Welcome to the Schütz Art Café - where art meets pleasure.
Let yourself be enchanted by the unique combination of contemporary art and classic coffee house culture in a stylish ambience. Surrounded by inspiring works of art, you can enjoy the finest home-made pastries - the best far and wide -, delicious snacks, exquisite drinks and ice cream that you won't soon forget. Our friendly team is passionate about making you feel at home from the very first moment.
Whether as an enjoyable start or a relaxing end to your visit, a visit to the Schütz Art Museum is the perfect way to round off your experience. The museum invites you not only to view art, but also to experience it intensively - in dialog with international artists and by taking a look behind the scenes of their work.
Schütz Art Café & Museum - a place to linger, enjoy and discover.
If you sit on the terrace of the Hotel Wesenufer in the morning, you will be greeted not only by the warm rays of the sun, but also by the gentle lapping of the Danube, which flows right next to the guest garden. The hotel, close to the Schlögener Donauschlinge, combines this cosy location with the warmth of its team, who look after every single guest attentively. With over 700 years of history, the hotel combines a unique location with active inclusion, respectful interaction and joie de vivre.
The Wesenufer Hotel & Seminarkultur was opened in its current form in 2008 following a comprehensive renovation. Today, the hotel is managed by Margarete Durstberger and is part of the flagship operation of pro mente Oberösterreich - a non-profit organisation dedicated to the mental and social health of people. The hotel currently employs between 45 and 50 people with disabilities, who fulfil a variety of tasks in different areas of the business. They work in the kitchen, in service, in cleaning and sometimes also in the garden or event area. The focus here is clearly on each individual, as everyone is deployed according to their skills and interests so that all individual strengths can be utilised.
The Wesenufer Hotel's cuisine focuses on regional and seasonal products, which are prepared with a lot of love and bring a piece of home to the plate. The homemade Sauwald potato noodles are a particular favourite, with guests returning time and time again. The kitchen team knows every ingredient and its origin inside out - so you can feel the connection to the region and the tradition that goes into these dishes with every bite. Fresh ingredients such as meat from Sigharting, vegetables from Eferding and eggs from happy hens from Haibach characterise the culinary offering. From the sumptuous breakfast buffet to Austrian creations for lunch and dinner, the hotel spoils its guests and always pays attention to the conscious and sustainable use of food.
For travelling guests or visitors to seminars and events, the hotel offers 49 stylish and modern rooms, including three barrier-free rooms, some of which have a balcony or terrace with a view of the Danube. If you would like to explore the Danube even closer than from your room, the Hotel Wesenufer offers the opportunity to explore the Danube region by bike on the Danube cycle path, on foot on the surrounding hiking trails or on a Danube boat trip. The Wesenufer Hotel not only offers relaxation and enjoyment, but also an inspiring experience of active inclusion and sustainable tourism.
Discovery tours with an enjoyable stopover! This culinary partner is located on the following tours:
Public Transit
Travelling to the Danube region
How to get to the Danube region?
The quick way to your destination - by train, bus, car, boat or plane.
Parking
Parking in Passau
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
Please get in touch for more information.
Lindengasse 9
4040 Linz
Phone +43 732 7277 - 800
Fax machine +43 732 7277 - 804
E-Mail info@donauregion.at
Web www.donauregion.at
Altitude profile - Danube Limes World Heritage Tour: Stage 1 Passau-Schlögen
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