The Inn river actually carries more water than the Danube at the point of convergence during certain times of the year.
The green coloration of the Inn is due to the glacial flour transported from the Alps.
Because the three rivers originate in different geological regions, the meeting point displays three distinct water colors simultaneously during periods of low flow.
The Dreiflüsseeck marks the point where the Danube becomes a major shipping artery, having previously been joined by two significant tributaries.
The convergence point is a critical site for regional flood management systems monitored by the Bavarian State Office for the Environment.
The Dreiflüsseeck is the geographic point in Passau where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers converge. The Danube flows from the west, the Inn from the south, and the Ilz from the north. The confluence is characterized by a visible difference in water color, caused by the different sediment loads of the three rivers. The Inn, which carries significant glacial silt, creates a distinct green hue that often remains visible for several kilometers as it mixes with the darker Danube. The Ilz is a darker, peat-rich river that enters the Danube slightly upstream from the Inn. The tip of the peninsula, known as the Ortspitze, serves as the primary viewing point. This location is part of the historic old town, located at the easternmost point of the city center. It has been a strategic navigation point throughout history due to the intersection of major European waterways.
The very tip of the Ortspitze provides the most direct vantage point to capture the confluence of all three rivers.
Visit the tip of the peninsula at the Ortspitze for the best panoramic perspective of the meeting point.
Walk along the promenade towards the confluence to observe how the distinct water colors gradually merge.
Combine the visit with a walk through the nearby old town streets which lead directly to the river banks.
Do not attempt to walk on the water or climb over safety railings at the tip of the peninsula.
