June 13th: Melk & Durnstein (Wachau Valley)

Our morning was devoted to visiting Melk Abbey in Austria. The Abbey is presently used as a school with 750 pupils of ages up to 18 yrs. There still is an active parish of 7 monks. Originally, it was the residence of the Babenberg family, then since 1089 it became a Benedictine monastery, founded by Leopold II. For over 900 years the monks here have lived and worked in Stift Melk following the rules laid down by St. Benedict.

Baroque styled - soft pink and cream ceilings interior

 Latin for "Preseverance & Courage"

  Sample of the type of relics in display rooms in Abbey

Melk treasure chest holds 14 locks .. only one key to open...the lock on the front panel is entirely a dud, the real entry for the key is obscured on the top of the chest

Baroque style ceiling which aims to achieve the illusion of height or domed 3D effect when one stands in the centre of the room

                                      View of Wachau Valley from upper courtyard of Stift Melk

  

                   Library that inspired Italian Umberto Eco to write his book "The Name of the Rose" in 1980 about a historical murder mystery set in an Italian monastery in the year 1327 "Il Nome della Rosa"

This is the oldest library we've ever been in...books were bound in gold embossed spine and letterings

The meaning of the Melk Abbey Church can be seen in the inscription on the high altar: "NON CORONABITUR NISI LEGITIME CERTAVERIT" - without a legitimate battle there is no victory...let's hope in future this is meant figuratively and not literally ??

The church underwent a 10 year long restoration, financed with help from the state and federal government - was finished in 1987

The Cupola of the Church

The left side altar in the transept contains the skeleton of St. Colomon in a sarcophagus. The altar to the right is dedicated to St. Benedict but the sarcophagus is empty.

The victory in the battle is portrayed by the large victory crown on the high altar, the victor's laurels over the monk, and the dome frescoes, in which the heavens open  

Staircase down from the church

Rose Garden of Melk Abbey

Inside Rose Garden Pavilion of Melk - cafe to the side

Walking through town of Melk back to our "Schiff"

Back on board and we continued our journey along the mighty Danube to Durnstein. Along the route are more picturesque countryside, villages & castle ruins... as we sipped Kaiserspritzer & munched on onion tarts in the ship lounge

By mid afternoon, we docked at Durnstein and followed the gangplank out for an "Active walking tour". In some of the ports, the ship offers a choice to go either on a gentle or active walk...good idea as there often are differing preferences & abilities in the mix of clientele on board.

Above this steep hilltop is the Kuenringer Castle, whose ruins still overlook Durnstein. This was where King Richard the Lionheart of England was held prisoner in 1192/3 during the time of his Third Crusade, after a dispute at the city of Acer, with Duke Leopold V of the Babenberg, also known as "the virtuous". Although that was not quite such a virtuous deed as the Duke was later excommunicated by the Pope as punishment for taking King Richard, a crusader, captive. King Richard was only freed after lengthy negotiations & payment of a costly ransom.

Wachau valley is renowned for its steep vineyards and white Rieslings & Gruner Veltliners. Our tour led us into a local venue for some wine tasting. There are also regional Apricot brandy or "Marillenschnaps" to savour in the local stores. The streets were quite bare, other than tourists, the town has only 1000 inhabitants

Town courtyard

There was also a bike option offered by Amadolce from Melk to Durnstein ... we would have done this trail had the weather been more favourable at the onset

Weather was clearing up towards the late afternoon as we walked around the landmark of the Wachau, the blue spired Augustine Abbey Church

The water levels on the Danube had risen so much during the last two days of rain in the Wachau valley that our Captain decided after dinner to pull up anchor and sail towards Vienna a few hours ahead of schedule to ward off possible closure of the Danube on this stretch of the river. Here are some last views of the shores of Durnstein and ship pulling away from Wachau valley..