SPLENDOURS OF EUROPE PART 7

MELK TO DURNSTEIN, AUSTRIA

Situated within Austria's wine-growing region, Melk is home to a 900 year old Benedictine abbey, a UNESCO World heritage-listed site.  Melk is a relatively unassuming town as it huddles below the mighty abbey which from an outcrop 

 looks over the Danube river.

The abbey is impressive from a different angle where behind this entry is a 250 meter long wing with countless windows. The abbey is one of the world's most famous active monasteries. It is also Austria's biggest Catholic private school with about 900 students. We did not see any of them. 

The statues of Saints Peter and Paul above on of many entrances

This Allegorical statuary along the Imperial staircase with the words meaning 'through perseverance and strength was the motto of Austrian Emperor Charles VI under whose reign the Abbey was rebuilt in the 1700's

Ceilings with frescos depicting religious stories were only part of this impressive abbey built with the finest Italian Baroque architecture and ornate gold leaf walls.

Another spectacular highlight in the abbey is the two-story monastic library containing about 100 000 ancient volumes of which 16 000 are on show.  

This clock is still ticking and tocking

A window view to the town of Melk

There was so much more to see but we left down a very wide, long, zigzagging staircase to a beautiful garden with perfectly trimmed trees and hedges. I certainly did not capture all the mental images I am remembering.

We passed a unique bee barn which is designed to attract, not only solitary bees but also many other pollinators which will shelter and create their homes.

To end our tour of the abbey we were directed to a shortcut to our ship via a lovely, tranquil forest trail with delightful bird-song. So refreshing after the busyness of architecture. 

After a delicious lunch on board our ship we chose different activities.  Wally joined 13 other guests on a 34 km guided bike ride from Melk Austria to Durnstein Austria along the Danube river. It was a pleasant ride past the Wachau Valley orchards and vineyards and through quaint villages, each announced with a church steeple. They had a surprise 10 minute rain shower which left Wally drenched. At one stop the guide took them down from the trail, through a tunnel and there was an ancient church. Wally really enjoyed this experience.

Ruined Aggstein Castle

This cable ferry across the Danube is powered by a rudder against the river current.

My afternoon was very relaxing  with a non-alcoholic beverage as I sailed on the Danube River between Melk and Durnstein, which is a UNESCO world heritage site with it's breathtaking beauty of the landscape. The villages in my photos were some of the ones Wally cycled through.

Schonbühel Castle - 12th century

Ruined Aggstein Castle 12th century

Willendorf

Nearby are extensive apricot orchards that provide for local specialties like Marillenknoedel (dessert dumpling stuffed with an apricot served with vanilla custard) which we enjoyed as our third course at dinner on our ship. 

                                                        photo from our guide book

 

Branch church in Sankt Johann im Mauerthale near the village of Spitz in Lower Austria

The village of Spitz lies below the ruins of Burg Hinterhaus from the 16th century

St. Maurice's church on the Danube waterfront is nestled below extensive terraced vineyards on the hillsides. 

Wehrkirche St. Michael is the oldest church in Austria, with the oldest organ in Europe, in a tiny village of 17 homes.

Weissenkirchen fortified church set in one of the prettiest villages

in the Wachau Valley.

Dürnstein castle ruins built between 1140 - 1145

The former Augustinian Monastery of Durnstein, the Abbey and its unique blue tower is regarded as a Baroque Jewel along the Danube.

Another day of adventure, and like all the other 14 days. ended with a dinner of regional delights, new every night with gourmet appetizers followed by main dishes such as Wiener Schnitzel and spaetzle, or Jagerschnitzel with sauteed red cabbage, Wagyu beef steak, Prime rib, Roasted lamb, Hungarian Goulash, German Bratwurst, Gnocchi, Dumplings, Roasted Duck etc. The entrees came with silky sauces and everything we ate was scrumptious

Throughout our two weeks we also indulged in so many desserts such as Sachertorte with its layers of apricot jam between chocolate layers and endless tiny desserts, cookies from 4 countries,  Schwarzwålder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cake), Apple cake, Bee sting cake, Stroop waffles, panna cotta, mousse, creme brulee. etc etc. So yummy.

Brot & Brotchen ( varieties of bread and buns) The breads were fresh and warm at breakfast with a charcuterie selection from cold cuts, cheeses, pickled herring etc, and Müseli with fresh fruit, dried fruits and nuts being my favourite breakfast. The breakfast and lunch buffets were so extensive making it hard to make choices. Wally liked omelets for breakfast. I enjoyed building salads at lunch while Wally gravitated to pastas, soups and sandwiches

Wine and beer flowed liberally at lunch and dinner.

As I type I am salivating. Have no idea why I got lost in food thoughts.