The Dom of St. Stephan dominates the skyline of Passau, its white baroque façade sparkling in sunlight. It is the seat of the Catholic Bishop of Passau and the main church of the diocese.  The cathedral was built between 1668 and 1693, one of many churches that stood on the same ground, its predecessor destroyed by fire in 1662. The building measures 100 meters/328 feet in length, designed by the Italian, Carlo Lurago. The interior was decorated by Giovanni Battista Carlone with frescoes by yet another Italian artist, Carpoforo Tencalla. The cathedral is renown for having the largest cathedral organ in the world, and the largest organ outside the United States. It has 17,774 pipes and 223 registers, all of which can be played on the five-manual general console in the gallery. Also of interest are the eight large bells in the north and south towers. Two of the three largest of these hang in the south tower: The 7550 kg/16,644 lb “Pummerin” was cast in 1952 and the 5300 kg /11,684 “Stumerin” was cast in 1733. The other six bells hang in the north tower: the Misericordia, the largest of these, weights 6000 kg/13,227 lbs.

PHOTOS: Top Three: 1. Dom St. Stephan as seen from Marienbrucke, the bridge across the Inn. Two bell towers with baroque detailing can be seen from this vantage point. . 2. Dom St. Stephan as seen from Wallfahrtskirche Mariahilf on the hillside opposite the river Inn. 3. View of Dom St. Stephan as seen from the river Inn. Middle Three: 1. The nave of the cathedral. 2. Detail: the High Altar with cast silver sculptural figures. 3. Ceiling details depicting the Baroque plaster work and the ceiling frescoes. Bottom Three: 1. The organ in its gallery. 2. The high altar. 3. The pulpit overlooking the nave.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                   BACK TO MAP  PAGE