Melk Travel Guide

 Mikebb Says:  High up closer to the ceiling than the floor is the magnificent organ. Well worth a photo, a pity no one was playing the day we visited.Asection of the beautiful ceiling can be seen behind the organ. 

 Mikebb Says:  The beauty of the Church hits you as soon as you enter. Gold everywhere you look, everything in perfect condition. Just take time to sit down for a few minutes and absorb the scene.No restrictions on taking photos. 

 Mikebb Says:  The Courtyard is similar format to that of many Palaces, being the size of a small parade ground, surrounded by buildings on 3 sides and entry arch on the other.There is a beautiful clock mounted on the building to the right hand side. 

 Mikebb Says:  Our entry to Melk Abbey was through the gardens, the photo shows our entry point. The gardens were excellent and set the tone for what the Abbey would deliver.The garden also provides opportunity to take photos of the town and surrounding valley. 

 balhannah Says:  Time for me to see the gardenThe abbey park was designed as a baroque park in 1750 and in 1822 the majority was replanted as an English landscape garden. The area never used to be open to the public, but now is, so we are very lucky to be able to walk around it and enjoy the... 

 balhannah Says:  After the Church, we walked into Coloman courtyard. Coloman, according to legend, is a king’s son from Ireland on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, who was martyred in 1012 in Stockerau, near Vienna. He was suspected of espionage because of his strange language and clothing, and... 

 balhannah Says:  From the library we walk to the Abbey church with its twin onion-domed towers and high cupola.Another wow! Look at this!Wonderful baroque architecture, extravagant decoration, brilliant gold leaf and rich gilding is what sprung out at me!Everything was so richly gilded, and... 

 balhannah Says:  From across the other side of the Danube river, we could see a couple of large yellow building's. Wondering what they were, we found one was once a monastery with an adjacent hospital, and other were cavalry barracks. The Barracks were built by the Emperor Karl VI in 1723.... 

 balhannah Says:  This magnificent Castle sits upon a cliff overlooking the Danube River. What a view!The first historical mention of the castle can be found in 907. Over the centuries, the castle changed hands many times till 1593, when the Austrian imperial family took it over. 17 August... 

 balhannah Says:  Located 25kms from Melk and on the same side of the Danube River, is the town of Ybbs an der Donau.It has an old town, so some interesting buildings to see.One of them, was the WINE TOLL, one of the oldest buildings in town. It no longer has its Gothic roof so it has lost... 

 balhannah Says:  I took photo's of the Maria Taferl Basilica frescoes, at the time thinking they were "different!"It wasn't until I returned home, that I learnt there is a story being told in the frescoes, so now I will tell you....The story goes that where the Basilica is located, there... 

 balhannah Says:  There are a few more things to do at the Basilica and surrounds.One is to visit the Treasury if open when you are there.The treasury is painted in the style of Folk Baroque, including frescoes on the ceilings which depict the creation story, and others on the walls... 

 balhannah Says:  The Basilica in Maria Taferl, is the second most important place of pilgrimage in Austria.It is believed that the church stands on a site formerly used as a place of worship by the Celts, and in the courtyard is a 2000 year old sacrificing stone.The Basilica of Maria Taferl... 

 balhannah Says:  Maria Taferl is only 16kms from Melk. I you have the time, do make the trip here as the views and the Basilica are wonderful.Maria Taferl is the most important pilgrimage site in Lower Austria, and Austria's second-largest. We drove the car up the hill and parked in the...