Day 14 - Sunday, May 11, 2025 - Melk Austria

By Ellen Outten


Sailing down the Danube this morning on the way to Melk, Austria 
 

Today we visited the Melk Abbey, home to 22 St. Benedictine monks.  When you see this place, you can't believe how big it is.  But the monks only live in a small section of the property.  We weren't allowed to take pictures inside so all I have is the outside. Their church is just as fancy as all the others I've seen.  

It was built in 1089 and was remodeled between 1702 and 1736 in the Baroque style. Its magnificent architecture is renowned worldwide, and is a UNESCO World Heritage in the Wachau Valley.

Abbeys were required to be glorious and ornate buildings as emporere and their large parties stayed at abbeys when they traveled.  Am entire wing was only for the emporeress, Maria Theresa and Franz Joseph when they traveled.  They only stayed there three times and only for one night each time.  

They have a museum with some fantastic artwork.  There's a crucifix that's 800 years old and an altar piece that dates to the 1200's.

Benedictine monks have lived and worked in this place in an unbroken tradition since 1089. 

The oldest monk is 95 years old and the youngest is 22 years of age.

The abbey contains the tomb of Saint Coloman of Stockerau and the remains of several members of the House of Babenberg, Austria's first ruling dynasty.



The church part of the Abbey 


It sits high on a hill and this is the view looking down into the town of Melk


The center courtyard 






I think they were lemons













Tomorrow we sail to Passau, Germany.  Finally to Germany where way Wayne will be searching for liverwurst.  I hope he finds it quickly.  He talks about it often.

We have a tour of Passau in the morning and I take a boat ride and visit the Baroque town of Scharding.









Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 11, 2025 at 7:01 PM

    What an amazing place. Thank you so much for sharing your travels with us.

    ReplyDelete

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