 | Melk Off the Beaten Path | Tips 11 - 20 of 34 |  |
Popular Off the Beaten Path | Miscellaneous Off the Beaten Path Tips | All Tips (34) The railway station of Melk is a very important destination, for the tourists that come, to Melk by train.
The building is placed, on the street, with which same name: Bahnhofstrasse (The Railway Station Street).
It is 300 south of Rathausplatz, the centre of the town.
The way from the railway station to the Abbey, one can reaches easily, in five minutes of foot walk.
Seven trains travel daily direct to Melk from Vienna.
The trip of Vienna to Melk, or turned back, doesn't last long, approximately 1 1/4 hours, and cost 13.90 Euro. Leave a Comment |
After several hours in the monastery it was a relief to go down the cobbled hill and find oneself right in the heart of Melk. This is a pictureque little town, probably quite typical of the region, but as it was the first town I'd visited in Austria, I was absolutely enchanted with it. Some of this was due to the christmas-card atmosphere from the crisp frosty weather and seasonal decorations but I think it's a town that would look good in all seasons. There was a tree in the Rathaus Platz,another on the Haupt Strasse and one also on the Haupt Platz. The photographs show this last tree with the Statkirche of Melk behind it. I've read good comments on this church on other VTers pages but somehow iIdid not feel like exploring any more churches that day. I liked it a lot from the outside though aand the simple white colour and tall spire were a refreshing change from all the yellow splendour at the monastery |
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The Stein Haus, the square but tower-shaped house built on the rock was the other building I wanted to see in downtown Melk. This proved even more problematic than the Altar Brodlaten until at last....I came upon it behind the local church. I was duly thrilled, admired it, photographed it and told my friend all about it. She was impressed - one of the oldest buildings in Melk, a former tower fortification, built directly on top of a rock, overlooking the Danube and the house where the painter Walter Prinzel had a studio. Yes, we were both very impressed but I was a little bit puzzled about the Danube. Finally I convinced myself that the Danube was probably visible from the top windows and retired, pleased that I had foundwhat I was looking for. THis was fine until I got home a week later and discovered that this was not in fact the Haus am Stein at all. Still, I think it's a very fine example of a tower now used as a house and quite impressive in its own right. |
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Technically I think the Wachau Valley extends for about 30 kms between Krems and Melk. Driving through this area was a big thrill for me as it was the first proper glimpse I'd had of the Austrian countryside. Initially I had been disappointed when we left Vienna as the countryside for the first 15 kms or so was terribly flat and unexciting. Then gradually the terrain began to change with hillsides covered with vine terraces and wooden houses and villages springing up on the left.On the right hand side the Danube had now acquired cliffs and bluffs with monasteries and castles perched on ridiculously high hilltops. After a while I didn't know which side of the road to look at and the only thing I know for sure is that I must re-visit this area and cruise through the countryside on the Danube. Unfortunately I did not get the opportunity to take a photo and the only one I have is this travesty taken through a bus window. |
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I had seen pictures of this building on several VT pages and thought it was very quaint. Also, the name 'Altar Brotladen' seemed quirky and interesting to me and I really wanted to see it. It's on a junction where two streets diverge and faces the Rathausplatz with two little turretsand a wooden tiled roof. I learned from Globetrott's page that this used to be an outlet for three bakeries - hence the name - and that it was originally part of the medieval fortifications of the town. To me it looked like something out of a Grimms Fairy Tale and I was really looking forward to seeing it. Only problem, I couldn't seem to find it until eventually I discovered it almost hidden behind yet another Christmas tree. You have to lookvery closely to see the two turrets. |
We saw any number of interesting churches along the banks of the Danube. Invariably they sported the onion domes favored in the eastern pasrts of Europe.
Update: I have been given further information from my VT friend globetrott:
"The church on the hill is :
Maria Taferl
- a well known church for pigrimage & a great terrace with a view of the valley and of course lots of restaurants for hungry pilgrims..."
Thanks Michael--it is these types of emails from friends that makes VT such a great place to spend some time. Leave a Comment |
In the garden there is also a nice pavilion and there can be found interesting sculptures too ... although I don´t know what they mean ... Leave a Comment |
The Stift (monastery) has also a magnificant garden, which is just next to the main building. Have a look there.
BUT there is to pay an extra fee to pay for it ...
I will check the amount on my next visit. Leave a Comment |
I suppose that every tour boat that plies the Danube makes an obligatory stop at the Melk Abbey. We were heading downstream and as the lock opened up onto a new stretch of river we were greated with our first view of the magnificent abbey. Leave a Comment |
Quaint villages dot the Danube shoreline. All with immaculate exteriors. Seems as if it would be a lovely life living in the Danubian countryside watching the river flow ever onward. Leave a Comment |
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