Day 8 (5) -- Melk to Vienna -- Wachau Valley

A chilly morning arrival with snow all around welcomed us to Melk, home of Melk Abbey, a Benedictine order established in 1089. With its extensive library beginning in the 13th century, it is home to countless early manuscripts.

Melk Abbey from the Danube approach

The bus dropped us off at the entrance, which is opposite the cliffside. 

Approaching the entrance to the Abbey

A walk down the left side building takes one through beautiful public rooms, exiting on a veranda that overlooks the river.

One of the beautiful ceilings in the public rooms

The view of Melk from the Abbey veranda

Then the visitor makes a 180° turn to the right to enter the main library.

From there, we exited the room and descended down a spiral staircase, which opened up into the chapel.

St. John the Baptist Altar

A glass sarcophagus with the skeleton of a catacomb saint lies on the St. John the Baptist altar, which is along the right side of the chapel. It is a gift to the monastery from Maria Theresa (1717-1780) and first displayed here in 1762. The saint is unknown.

After the chapel tour, we walked back to the boat via the town of Melk. Things were quiet in the town as it was only around 11:30 a.m. when we passed through.

   In town looking up to the Abbey

Swan preparing for flight
(courtesy of CPF3)

It remained cold and snowing as we re-boarded the ship. The nearby swans swimming in the river did not seem to be affected, however. We then spent the next few hours gliding down the Danube through the Wachau Valley as we made our way to Vienna.

By late afternoon the sun came out and made it very pleasant to sit in the lounge watching the river side go by.

One of the sights to see was a castle ruin on the outskirts of Dürnstein, known as where Richard the LionHeart was imprisoned as he returned from the Crusades, along with the blue Dürnstein Abbey tower in the city.

Cruising past Durnstein with its castle ruins (upon the hill, center)

We arrived late afternoon for our visit to Vienna. That evening we attended a "concert" of Strauss/Mozart music--an optional offering by the cruise line. With tight seating on hard chairs, and an orchestra of 15 or so, if ever offered this pricey opportunity, I recommend you pass.

Our docking spot on the Danube in Vienna
(most of the city is behind the viewer)