Alte Residenz, Royal palace in Passau, Germany.
The Alte Residenz is a former prince-bishop palace in Passau with multiple floors and classical exterior walls. Inside are grand halls decorated with elaborate wall paintings, plasterwork, and period furniture on each level.
The palace was built in the 17th century as a residence for Passau's prince-bishops and served as the region's political and religious center. The building underwent several renovations and updates before eventually becoming a museum and cultural institution.
The rooms show how prince-bishops lived and worked, with furniture and artworks reflecting their power and taste. You can see how religious authority and worldly rule were mixed into the decorations and room layouts.
The building is easily reached on foot from the city center and has a spacious entrance area where you can get oriented. Plan to spend at least two to three hours for a thorough walk through all the rooms.
The palace's location at the border between Bavaria and Austria made it an important point for diplomacy and trade between neighboring regions. Today you can see from certain spots the three rivers that surround the city and shape the palace grounds.
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