The Abteiland (Abbey Land) is a former estate owned by Niedernburg Abbey above Passau. From the early 13th century until the seizure of church property under Napoleon in 1803, the region belonged to the Hochstift or Prince-Bishopric of Passau with the prince bishop as its secular and spiritual head. The region lies in the Bavarian Forest north of the River Danube and east of the River Ilz. It was crossed by a historical trade route, the Goldener Steig (Golden Trail). Its main settlement was Waldkirchen, which was granted wide-ranging rights by the prince bishops of Passau.