April 9, 2018 ~ Melk and Krems, Austria

April 9, 2018 ~ Melk and Krems, Austria

Once again the sun is shining on our visit to Melk, Austria.  Melk is a charming little town most known for its Benedictine Abbey (Melk Abbey)

I loved the dramatic skies again today captured in the picture of the Abbey from the town of Melk on the left.

Melk Abbey is located high on a hill overlooking the Danube.  The abbey contains the tomb of Saint Coloman of Stockerau, an Irish saint.  Saint Coloman was a pilgrim on his way to the Holy Land and was mistaken for a spy due to his strange appearance.  He was tortured and hanged at Stockerau, near Vienna in 1012.  According to the scholar Aidan Breen, "He was made a saint by the local people, possibly out of removse for the deed and because of his endurance under torture and the many miracles reported from where his body was buried."

Also buried at the abbey are several members of the House of Babenberg, the first ruling dynasty of Austria.  The Stiftsgymnasium Melk was founded in the twelfth century as a monastic school.  The library there (which we were able to see part of -- breathtaking) became renowned for its extensive manuscript collection.  The Abbey became the center of the Melk Reform movement in the fifteenth century, which breathed new life into monastic life of Austria and Southern Germany.

The Abbey that we toured today was built in the Baroque style between 1702 and 1736.  Unlike many other Abbeys, Melk survived dissolution, the Napoleonic Wars, and the threat of the Anschluss in 1938.  The school has continuously operated and still provides education for 900 students.

Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures inside the Abbey, but I did find a few pictures on the web to share.

Once again, we had a very capable guide who led us through the rooms of the Abbey open to the public and gave a well-rehearsed commentary without lingering very much.  I did feel a bit rushed through, but it was an interesting visit.

Photo Credit:  jo lee magazine

This is a photo of part of the library.  The shelves are lined floor to ceiling with books -- amazing to see.  All of the books are being digitized, but researchers do come to this library to conduct research.

Photo Credit:  Trip Advisor

The ceiling in the hall is painted to look like it is vaulted, but it is flat.  A triumph of trompe l'oel, for sure -- Jeff and I couldn't figure it out!

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

This photo is of the interior of the chapel.  An amazingly beautiful and serene place that we enjoyed immensely.

After our visit to the Abbey, Jeff and I walked through the sleepy town of Melk and back to our ship.  The day was balmy and a bit breezy, and at one point we stopped to sit and listen to a symphony of birdsong.  We enjoyed some lunch aboard ship and a nap - since we both now have the sniffles and sneezes.

 

 

From the balcony of the Abbey

Can you tell I am having a great time?

And then we were off to Krems.  Along the way we pass the beautiful Schloss Schönbühel.  Once the site of a Roman fortress, the castle was begun in the 12th century and was once owned by the Melk Abbey.

Schloss Schönbühel

It was a pleasant sail down the Danube and into Krems, where we docked briefly for a wine tour.  Again, not at all what I expected -- this "winery" was in the middle of a city!  Very modern and "high tech", but charming and with remarkably good wine.

Then back to our ship where we experienced "Austrian Night" with the crew dressed in lederhosen (men) and dirndls (the ladies).  We had a buffet dinner of Austrian foods that was, as always, delicious!

Gary,  our Program Director

Galin, one of our waiters

A long day, but a memorable one.  

Tomorrow ... Vienna!