Melk Abbey

Melk Abbey in Austria is located on the top of the town of Melk, overlooking the Wachau Valley of the Danube River. This exquisite Baroque-style abbey was built in the 17th century. Many monasteries were dissolved by Joseph II, but Melk Abbey was preserved and survived the Second World War. It still has over 500 rooms today. Once becoming a monk, it means dedicating one's entire life, including property, marriage, and devotion, to religious beliefs. Monks are ascetics, and they are self-sufficient in food and clothing. They pray six times a day. They wake up at one o'clock in the morning to pray, then go back to sleep, wake up again to pray, and pray before every meal. After breakfast, they work in the fields, and after lunch, they copy the Bible in the afternoon. In fact, some monks do not understand Latin, so there are inevitably some errors in later versions of the Bible.

Leaving Slovakia, the cruise ship heads towards the Wachau Valley in Austria. It just so happens to start drizzling during the cruise through the valley, making the small town appear even more tranquil and serene. The suitable climate has contributed to the Wachau Valley's renowned wines🍷 And here, it also boasts the 'Wachau Cultural Landscape,' a World Heritage site. Main Building Area🏠 Situated atop a rocky hill in the town of Melk in Lower Austria, Melk Abbey was built in the 17th century. With Theresian Yellow as its main color scheme, the abbey is elegant yet functional. This vibrant monastery, despite the passage of time, also houses a school with 900 local students. Melk Abbey is considered one of the representatives of Baroque architecture, with strong contrasts in color, light and shadow, and sculpturality. From the museum to the colorful frescoes on the dome, to the 'world's most beautiful library,' one can see medieval notes passed down to this day, encounter silverware inlaid with jewels, and collections still of scientific research value. It is said that there are 140,000 volumes of books here, but the precious editions and medieval manuscripts are all stored in the vaulted cellar of the library... The terrace offers a panoramic view of the Danube River and the town of Melk, don't miss it. Garden Area🌳 Due to the rain, the umbrellas brought down from the cruise ship unexpectedly match the yellow color. After visiting the main area of the abbey, the garden is also an essential part to visit (combined ticket). In the garden, both the trees and the lawns are neatly trimmed, some like umbrellas, some like rice balls🍙, and there is even a hint of Eastern symmetrical aesthetics. The garden pavilion is full of damp frescoes by Perg, and the garden behind it is like stepping into the Emerald City. It is recommended to walk down the hill, passing through this ancient and colorful town. If time allows, you can also choose a local restaurant to try Austrian schnitzel (recommended: Lupelius). No need to worry for those with a Chinese stomach, as there is a sizable Chinese restaurant (China House) right on the main street of the town.

Austria is a country in Europe famous for its combination of delicious food, stunning scenery, and beautiful people. When it comes to Austria, many people's first thought is of the most beautiful town, Hallstatt, but there is much more than just this one beautiful town. Follow my footsteps today to explore 7 uniquely charming Austrian towns! ▫️ 🎉Most Sacred: Melk The town of Melk is known for the famous Melk Abbey, a pure Baroque style monastery that epitomizes grandeur and luxury. The town's apricot liqueur is also well-known, so those who enjoy tasting wines should not forget to take a bottle home. 👉Highlights: Melk Abbey, Melk Library Recommendation Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 ▫️ 🎉Closest to Nature: Moon Lake (Mondsee Town) This is a place not very well-known and rarely visited by tourists, but it is absolutely a paradise on earth. Sitting by the lake with a cup of coffee, you could sit quietly for a whole day without getting bored. 👉Highlights: Lake view, Mondsee Town Recommendation Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 ▫️ 🎉Most Artistic: Salzburg This is the hometown of Mozart and the filming location for the movie 'The Sound of Music'; it is the artistic city of Salzburg. If you're lucky, you might even enjoy an interesting musical performance while dining here. 👉Highlights: Salzburg Fortress, Mozart's Birthplace, Mirabell Palace, Getreidegasse, Salzburg Cathedral Recommendation Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 ▫️ 🎉Most Enchanting: Spitz The town of Spitz is said to be the most enchanting because it is famous for its wine and apricot liqueur production. Vineyards are everywhere, and you'll encounter a winery just a few steps away, which is why locals joke that there are more wine barrels than people here. If you have enough time, you can visit a winery to taste different vintages of wine and enjoy the local song and dance performances. 👉Highlights: Vineyards, Wineries Recommendation Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 ▫️ 🎉Most Romantic: Dürnstein Located in the Wachau Valley, Dürnstein is touted as the most romantic town in the area. The town is colorful and blooming with flowers, walking through its streets gives you the illusion of being transported to the Middle Ages. 👉Highlights: Blue Monastery Recommendation Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Visitors are not allowed to take photos inside the Melk Abbey, so I usually refrain from doing so out of respect. The most beautiful parts here are the library and the golden church. The Melk Abbey sits atop a mountain, overlooking the Danube River. This Benedictine monastery stands solemnly amidst the beautiful scenery of the region. Since the 12th century, the Melk Abbey established a theological school and built a library. The library houses over 100,000 medieval manuscripts, all of which are priceless treasures. It is the essence of the Melk Abbey and one of the ten most beautiful libraries in the world. The monastery is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, and the magnificent view of the Danube River can be seen from the platform of the monastery. The Melk Abbey was founded in 1089. The breathtaking Baroque architecture was built from 1702 to 1736, featuring exquisite murals. The library houses countless medieval manuscripts. Due to its reputation and academic value, Melk Abbey was spared during the mass dissolution of Austrian monasteries by Joseph II from 1780 to 1790, and escaped the destruction of the Napoleonic Wars. In 1938, after the annexation of Austria by Germany, most of the school and monastery were nationalized by the Nazis. Visitors can reach the rooftop of the monastery after touring inside, where they can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape, including rivers, bridges, and fairy tale-like rooftops, from all directions.