Jochenstein, Inland island in Untergriesbach, Germany.
Jochenstein is a small rocky island in the Danube river, located between the Bavarian and Upper Austrian banks near the town of Untergriesbach in Germany. The rock rises clearly above the water and sits at one of the narrower points of the river, marking the boundary between two countries.
In 1765, the Prince-Bishopric of Passau and the Archduchy of Austria signed a treaty that officially set Jochenstein as a border point between Bavaria and Upper Austria. The rock has since served as a lasting boundary marker at this point of the river.
The name Jochenstein likely comes from old drinking customs celebrated at the river crossing during solstices, which over time became linked to Christian rituals for river navigators. Visitors standing on the nearby bank can sense how closely the lives of local people and travelers were tied to this stretch of water.
Because the island sits in the middle of the river, it is best seen from the banks on either side or from a boat on the water. The riverside paths on both the German and Austrian sides offer good views of the rock.
A stone statue of Saint John Nepomuk, patron of river sailors, still stands on the rock today and has been there for centuries. He was chosen as patron because legend says he was thrown into the Vltava river, making him the protector of those who travel on water.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
