Dürnstein Travel Guide

 dustmon Says:  I love slightly odd sights around the world---I remember very clearly as a 16 year old seeing St James' finger bone in a church in Northern Spain (or maybe Portugal), and this skeleton inside the Durnstein Abbey Church is amazing---Very Indiana Jones-ish looking through the... 

 dustmon Says:  Just kind of a no-brainer, but try and get your camera ready for this shot----an awesome view of the town in all its glory all at once coming in on our Viking Sky cruise ship around 3 in the afternoon..... 

 dustmon Says:  The old Castle ruins are free to visit, after the 30 minute hike up.....Take good shoes for this one, folks...On a sunny day this would be well worth the climb for the view of the beautiful Danube and the Wachau Valley.... 

 dustmon Says:  My son turned 30 this trip, and is an actor/puppeteer/director and poses in front of the Hell plaque in the first courtyard after entering the abbey proper---there are roses in the middle of this courtyard---make sure and look at all the plaques around the outer edge. 

 dustmon Says:  I love finding photogenic cemeteries around the world, and this one rates near the top! There are beautiful iron-scroll work headmarkers galore, with roses blooming amongst them, twining around the iron and stone with their fragrance and color. The enclosed boneyard in the... 

 dustmon Says:  The courtyard, church, exhibits(which are very interesting! some 3-D) and the Danube Terrace are all included in the 2.60 Euro admission, very much worth it, if for nothing else than the views from up top. Take the spiral stairs up if open... 

 Kathrin_E Says:  Flood marks on a wall by the river promenade recall the heights of Danube floods that hit the town. The major part of the town is located high enough to be safe but the buildings by the river are prone to damage. The valley is narrow, so the floods reach remarkable levels.... 

 Kathrin_E Says:  The ruin of a gothic church is a notable landmark in the townscape. This used to be the church of the nunnery of the Poor Clare Sisters. The church is roofless and has long ben out of use. The baroque convent buildings are now used by a hotel. 

 Kathrin_E Says:  In the middle ages Dürnstein was the property of a noble dynasty, the Kuenringer. Their castle is located on top of a rock high above the town. It has long been in ruins. It is the setting of old storeis and legends - Richard Lionheart was imprisoned here for a short time on... 

 Kathrin_E Says:  The Augustine convent was founded in 1410 when canons from Bohemia settled next to an older chapel. The 15th century church, cloister and convent buildings were renovated in the 17th century but were in bad shape again soon after. They were renovated again and achieved their... 

 Kathrin_E Says:  The church originally derives from the 15th century but its present appearance is owed to thorough refurbishment in the 1720s, so what you see is purest baroque style. The church is dedicated to the Ascension of the Virgin Mary. Since the convent was closed down in 1788, the... 

 Kathrin_E Says:  Dürnstein's town hall consists of several houses that have been combined to one complex. The facades are ornated with renaissance ornaments in sgraffito technique, i.e. engraved in layers of plaster in different colours. Don't miss a look into the courtyard.One wing hosts a... 

 Kathrin_E Says:  The main street of Dürnstein leads through the town from Steinertor gate tower in the east to the viewpoint outside the castle in the west. Here is where you find most restaurants, souvenir shops etc. Dürnstein is a romantic old town. It attracts its share lot of tourists,... 

 Kathrin_E Says:  Alter Klosterkeller is a Heuriger, a place that serves local wines and plain local food of good quality. The restaurant is located on the edge of the town next to a vineyard. If the weather allows you can sit on the terrace with a view of the valley. The terrace has a... 

 Kathrin_E Says:  Cruise boats run on a regular timetable along the Wachau valley from Melk to Krems. This is an easy and enjoyable way of experiencing the landscape. Fares are not cheap, though - 20€ from Melk to Dürnstein. No prebooking, buy your ticket at the booth next to the landing...