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Popular Things To Do | Other Things To Do Tips | All Tips (195) Finally I left the Town Hall square to look for some other interesting places in Old Town Melk before I wanted to visit the Abby.
On this photo you can see the "Alter Brotladen" - the old bread shop, with it's two little towers. This building is still roofed with wooden slates. Leave a Comment
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From the Benedict Hall we come to the Prelate's Courtyard. We are standing on the house main axis. The 84 meter long and 42 meter wide Prelate's Courtyard forms a trapezoid. The side opposite the Benedict Hall is narrower, creating an illiuson of greater depth.
The design of the facade is simple and calm but its simplicity gives the courtyard a quiet grandeur. On the cornices on each of the four sides are statues of apostles and prophets. In the center of each cornice is an area framed by a round arch. These originally contained Baroque frescos by Franz Rosenstingl representing the four cardinal virtures which were replaced by frescos by Friedrich Schilcher. Since they couldnt no longer restored, new frescos were sought in a competition. The scatches by Peter Bischof from Vienna won and in 1988 he created these depictions in primary colors. Leave a Comment
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From the parking place I went to the Old Town of Melk. And there was a very nice reception made of cloth. It was an embroidery, a heart with the words "Herzlich Willkommen in der Melker Altstadt" - (Cordial welcome in the Old Town of Melk)
Ok, after these nice words lets start our tour... Leave a Comment
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Here you can see a typical street scene for during that festival in the old town. And, as you see, tourists from all the world joined that festival.
In the background you can see the "Apotheke", (pharmacy), the former "Lebzelterhaus" It was built in 1657 and has wonderful painted windowshutter. (unfortunately the photo which I took of them is not worth to publish... ) Leave a Comment
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In the center of the Town Hall square is the Market Fountain. There is a relief bust of the Abbot Alexander Karl converses quietly with the statue of St. Koloman.
For me this fountains was very important for another reason. From that place I took all the photos from the Town Hall square. ( at least the photos with the dancer and singer.... Leave a Comment
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It was not easy to take a photo of the Imperial Staircase. I dont want to say it is the main attraction of Melk Abbey but the staircase leads to the Imperial Corridor. In front of that door there were all the time visitors so I had to wait for minutes to take that photo. Not perfect but better than nothing.
Well, now some words about the Imperial Staircase.
If you pass the southwest corner of the courtyard you will come to an alley-like passageway leading to the church and the Imperial Staircase. The staircase leads to the wing which was designed for the imperial court. On the first landing a group of white stucco sculptures contains a plaque with the motto of Emperor Karl VI. "Constantia et fortitudine" (With perseverance and courage). Karl VI was very partial to Abbot Berthold Dietmayr and his monastary.
Among the statues is a figure representing the river God Danuvius. A level higher Fama (fame) and wisdom are represented in niches to the left and right. Leave a Comment
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One of the most important work of art are the altar panels by Joerg Breu (1475-1537). They were probably created in 1502, shortly before his return to Augsburg, Germany. The altar panels were most likely sent to Wullersdorf during the Baroque and then brought back to Melk in 1816. The central shrine of the altar unfortunately no longer exists.
The compositon of the pictures and certain details show similarites not only with Breu's own work but the artists also borrowed elements from Martin Schongauer and Albrecht Duerer. Leave a Comment
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The first way leads me to the "Rathausplatz", or in English "Town Hall square". I had two reasons. 1) usually there you can find the most interesting buildings (at least in small villages), especially the Town Hall is worth to visit. And 2) the town information was close to that square as well.... Leave a Comment Address: Town Hall square
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The painting of Peter Bischof are intended to bring contemporary forms into Baroque setting. Dynamic and color are inspired by the Baroque, but the form is in Peter Bischof's own style.
Although some have had problems with the modern style, the combination of new and tradtional elements is striking.
The four virtues are: Prudence (western facade), Temperance (northern facade), Justice (eastern facade) and Fortitude (southern facade)
On the photo which I took you can see the eastern facade. Justice - it is represented in a traditional fashion with a sword and blindfolded eyes. Peter Bischof had added a new element to the interpretation with a figure seeking help at the feet of justice. Leave a Comment
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There are only a few remains from the Romanesque Period. For example the large crucifix. It is not originally from Melk but from St. Ruprechts Church in Vienna. It was later owned privately and then donated to the monastary in the 19th century. This significant work of art shows similarities to the famous Seckauer Cross, dated 1220. Leave a Comment
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on September 28, 2003
