Rest Day in Melk

September 28, 2012

We have decided to stay in this small town of 5,000 people, a Unesco Heritage Site, for a day to absorb the charm of Melk and visit the Abbey.
Our hotel is in the hub of the village opposite the Rathaus and we can hear the sound of the 17th century fountain outside our window. All of the streets and alleys are cobblestone and there is relatively little commerce. A few tourist shops for people on day trips from their river cruise boat, plus a wonderful book store with books in English. Barry bought me the new Elizabeth George paperback for my birthday - what a treat.
The restaurant feels like a Viennese coffee room with fresh pastries, a wall of magazines/newspapers and regulars enjoying their special coffee of the day. As we travel, we so value what a small community offers, rather than the complexities of a large city.

The amazing Benedictine Abbey - Stift Melk

The outer courtyard of the Benedictine Abby

Incredibly ornate interiors in the Marble Room

As the Abbey dominates the town and is set atop a hill, the view is amazing.

The church is set in the middle of the enclosure.

Danube valley - the river is in the distance

The library is so impressive - the collection is centuries old with painted ceilings dating back to the 1700's

All areas are decorated with ornate paintings - even the stairwells

Nothing can prepare you for the incredible detail and opulence of the church.

A view over the Danube valley from the upper terrace

Part of the extensive gardens around the Abbey.

Apple strudel in the cafe on the grounds of the Abbey.

The tea room in a small building on the grounds of the Abbey.

A quirky detail: the two painters incorporated themselves into this painting in the tea room

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