The Neue Residenz, adjacent to St. Stephan's Cathedral, was built in the late 17th and early 18th centuries as the urban palace of the prince bishops of Passau — one of the wealthiest ecclesiastical rulers in the Holy Roman Empire. The building's Baroque facade is imposing, but the interior is the real treasure: the stairwell is a masterpiece of Rococo plasterwork, with cascading stucco decoration rising to a painted ceiling.
Parts of the palace are now used as administrative offices for the Diocese of Passau, and not all rooms are open to visitors at all times. Check locally for guided tours of the historic apartments, which are offered seasonally and show the full extent of the episcopal rooms.