Melk Abbey,Wachau valley,Danube

    

       I wasn't leaving Austria without a trip on the Danube river.So  we took a bus tour to  the Wachau valley.Seeing vineyards on the mountainside and castle ruins<we saw the castle where Richard the lionhearted was held ransom> while we were traveling beside the  Danube river. We stopped in Splitz and took the ferry to Melk Abbey.We toasted a cheer with a Austrian apricot brandy, very warm and enjoyed the little towns and sights along the way.

   Coming around the bend and seeing Melk was a beautiful sight.The ferry docked, we disembarked and took the bus up to the Abbey parking lot.We had lunch first.But I was excited so  while hubby waited for food I explored a bit and took some pictures.This place was bigger then  we had thought.

      In 1089 this castle became a benedictine abbey.It wasn't until 1700s that it was rebuilt in the baroque style.It has housed many manuscripts and scrolls < we saw the scrolls, there was one there from the Dali Lama> from religious leaders since the beginning of its time. There is reason to  believe that because of the extensive library and collections that this perhaps led to the abbey surviving the Emperor Joseph rein, the Napoleonic wars and the Nazi Anschluss.There is a public high school run in the abbey as well  that houses 900 students and surprisingly the school is non denominational .

   

   

    These pictures are of the entrance, a view from above,the library and one of the frescoes in the church.There were so many pictures it was hard to pick.Over all I enjoyed this day trip.We took the bus back to Vienna and reflected on all we had seen this day.More Vienna to come.If churches are your thing you can see more pictures and information on St.Stevens cathedral on that titled page.