Melk, AustriaSep 8, 2011
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Melk Abbey
Scale model of Melk Abbey
Village of Melk seen from the Abbey
| A visit to Melk Abbey today. After a morning cruise up the Danube, we arrived in Melk to visit the Benedictine Abbey. The Abbey has been standing on this spot for a long time, but the buildings have been altered and renovated over the years. The most recent incarnation was totally renovated in the baroque style (very ornate) in the early 18th century. Since there are 500 rooms, it was a major task to complete the renovation, but the Abbot at the time served for many years and was successful in completing the task. One wing was renovated for the benefit of the Austrian Empress, Maria Theresa, who stayed at the abbey on several occasions along with her complete retinue which numbered in the hundreds. To make the quarters fit for an empress required lots of gold leaf and marble! The Abbey Church is extremely ornate with gold leaf in abundance! It is impossible to describe. I hope some photos will make up for my lack of words when I get them uploaded. |
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