Blog is better read in chronological order. Previous posts:
The abbey was rebuilt several times, last time in 18th century, last renovation started in 1978. Now it is finished. The balcony on the west side of the abbey (see on the right in the picture below) didn't exist until 18th century, now beautiful views to the city and the river open from it.
The Danube river has a small arm next to Melk, which created an island, where the berths are built for river boats coming all the way to Vienna. The island itself is covered in forest and has walking trails all over. A bridge is leading to it, notable because it provides a perfect spot for panoramic abbey pictures.
In the evening, when Heavens decided we had finished our day, the black clouds came and it started raining.
In the hotel I came to conclusion that stone pyramids are following me, there was one more waiting on the wall...
- The route
- Day 1. Die Hängebrücke
- Day 2. Conquering two peaks
- Day 3. Glacier lakes and a small miracle
- Day 4. From the top of the mountain to the depth of the earth
- Day 5. Berchtesgaden. Rossfeld route. Malenwinkler rund.
- Day 6. Klagenfurt
- Day 7. Design city. Schwarzenegger's heritage.
Next morning we set out to move from south of Austria back to its north, to Melk Abbey, which
caught our attention in 2013. Last time it was being renovated, and we also arrived late in the evening, so didn’t get into the building and internal gardens. This time we planned 2 days to explore the abbey and take a day trip down the Danube river and back.
The route to Melk passed through the mountains. It was raining the whole way, so driving was not as easy as it could have been. In spite of that I enjoyed the surroundings: mountains half-covered in blankets of clouds, small villages on the mountain flanks, and the road winding up and down through valleys and forest. Sometimes next to the road a deep abyss would open, covered in trees and bushes, leaving you guessing how much further deep it goes.
The weather was gracious to us. When we arrived in Melk, it was hot and sunny again, and abbey looked gorgeous. By now it was fully renovated and also still open, so without further delays we went inside.
Inside I was amazed how rich, modern and beautiful the exhibition was. The tour guide talked with passion about the history of the abbey, the relics stored in it and interesting installations in some halls. One hall was illuminated green, another - blue, one hall had 11 sculptures symbolizing human's path from being born to maturity, leaving the 12th - state of enlightenment - out.
Behind the abbey there are gardens and a small shady forest with trails and thoughtful texts here and there. Stone pyramids found me again in this forest, and I erected one more:
The Danube river has a small arm next to Melk, which created an island, where the berths are built for river boats coming all the way to Vienna. The island itself is covered in forest and has walking trails all over. A bridge is leading to it, notable because it provides a perfect spot for panoramic abbey pictures.
In the evening, when Heavens decided we had finished our day, the black clouds came and it started raining.
But it didn't rain for long, the clouds passed and a beautiful rainbow decorated the sky above us.
In the hotel I came to conclusion that stone pyramids are following me, there was one more waiting on the wall...
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