Melk Abbey in Austria
(Advertising) It is one of the highlights on the Danube in the WachauMelk Abbey in Austria. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Austria.
Approaching Melk Abbey from the Danube or via the motorway from the north, it sits like a fortress above the town that bears the abbey's name.
We've been to Melk Abbey several times on press trips and can never get enough of the monastery's baroque splendor. That's why we keep coming back – whether as a guest or as a guest. travel bloggers or on private visits.
Silence in this Austrian monastery on the Danube
I remember our last visit to this Austrian monastery on the DanubeWe explored the magnificent halls and strolled through the tranquil gardens.
The atmosphere was incredibly peaceful. The library with its ancient books is particularly impressive.
After the guided tour, we enjoyed a delicious lunch in the monastery café. The tranquility of the place will remain unforgettable. It was a wonderful day full of discoveries and peace.
Melk Abbey grew out of a castle
This assumption is not incorrect. Originally, a castle did indeed stand on the site of the Benedictine monastery. In 955, Otto the Great granted the eastern territories to Luitpold of Babenberg.
The Eastern March was established, first mentioned in chronicles in 996 as Ostarrichi. Melk Castle initially belonged to Bavarian counts.
Soon, however, the Babenbergs took over the castle. Even today, the monastery possesses works of art originating from this dynasty.
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It was also the Babenbergs who gave Melk Abbey its own patron saint. In 1014, Henry I had the body of St. Coloman brought to Melk.
According to legend, he was a king's son from Ireland. He was arrested in Stockerau as a spy and hanged on an elderberry bush.
Not much remains of the Babenberg castle. Only the two castle towers are still standing and tower over the Danube as they have for ages.
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Baroque splendor in Melk Abbey
The Babenberg era was followed by economic decline and moral decay at Melk Abbey. A fire destroyed almost the entire monastery. The plague, crop failures, and other calamities did the rest.
The Melk Reform in the 15th century did lead to a brief recovery. However, this was destroyed by the Reformation and the Turkish Wars in the 16th century.
It was only during the Counter-Reformation that the monastery succeeded in building an economic base that made the Baroque reconstruction of the monastery possible.
Melk Abbey experienced its golden age with the Baroque-style reconstruction of the monastery according to plans by Jakob Prandtauer. The transformation of the abbey to its Baroque splendor took only 40 years. Even a subsequent fire could not halt its completion.
Interactive map for this monastery on the Danube in Austria
Large baroque monastery in Lower Austria
Melk Abbey is undoubtedly one of the great Baroque monasteries in Lower Austria. The abbey's architecture is a true feast for the eyes, captivating every visitor.
The monastery sits atop a rocky outcrop that majestically overlooks the Danube. Its facade is a masterpiece of Baroque art and architecture. Richly adorned with statues and ornaments, the monastery is a breathtaking sight.
Library and Collegiate Church
Inside the monastery is a library considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Its impressive shelves and artistic murals are sure to delight any book lover.
The magnificent collegiate church, decorated with marble and gold, is also an unforgettable experience for every visitor.
School operations and restoration
The Age of Enlightenment brought about a reorientation at Melk Abbey. A grammar school was established. The abbey was no longer permitted to elect its own abbot; instead, a commendar abbot took up residence. The emperor appointed a prior responsible for the monastery's finances.
After the Napoleonic Wars, the modernization of the monastery finally began. The Baroque buildings were restored. In fact, the renovation of the buildings is an ongoing process.
Girls were allowed to attend classes at the high school. A student exchange program with a Benedictine school in America began. Tourism contributes significantly to financing these initiatives.
Visit to Melk Abbey
View from the roof of the North Bastion
The best way to start your visit to Melk Abbey is from the roof of the north bastion. You can reach this via the lift from the abbey shop.
From above you have a good view of the former Melk Castle, the baroque main building and the abbey park with its garden pavilion.
The Prelates' Court
Through the main portal (see third photo from above) you finally reach the prelate's court. This is located in the center of the monastery complex. The high school is located in the building today.
The Kaiserstiege and the Kaisergang
Empress Maria Theresa and Emperor Francis Stephen of Lorraine were guests at Melk Abbey several times. Their portraits hang at the foot of the Imperial Staircase in the Imperial Passage.
If you then follow the Imperial Walk, you can see paintings of other rulers from Austria, from the Babenbergs to the Habsburgs.
The Kaiserstiege leads up to the Kaiserzimmer on the first floor. It now houses the Museum of Melk Abbey.
Kaiserzimmer (Monastery Museum of Melk Abbey)
The rooms where the emperor and his family once stayed during their visit to Melk Abbey now house the abbey museum.
This shows how important Melk Abbey was in history. There you can see the monastery's art treasures. You will also learn more about the abbey's current role.
The Marble Hall
Also worth seeing is the Marble Hall, which adjoins the museum. This hall serves as a banquet and dining hall.
Although it is called the Marble Hall, only the door frames and the panels above the doors are made of real marble.
The walls, however, are painted by Gaetano Fanti. The ceiling painting, by Paul Troger, is also worth a look.
The terrace with a view of the Danube
Leaving the Marble Hall, one then arrives at the balcony, a terrace that leads over to the library. From here you definitely have a magnificent view of the Danube.
The abbey library of Melk Abbey
My breath caught in my throat as soon as I entered the library of Melk Abbey. Beneath the ceiling fresco by Paul Troger are the bookshelves with their inlaid work.
The figures next to the doors represent the four faculties: law, medicine, philosophy, and theology.
The abbey library contains approximately 100.000 volumes, 1.200 manuscripts from the 9th to the 15th centuries, 600 manuscripts from the 17th and 18th centuries, and 750 incunabula. Interesting manuscripts from the library's collection are also displayed in the showcases.
Restoration of the Abbey Library
The restoration of the Melk Library's holdings began in 2022. Plans include a new manuscript room and an expansion of the library's premises.
Librarians and conservators are examining and cleaning the book collection, which spans centuries. It's a Sisyphean task, for which 10 years are planned.
The project costs 12 million euros. It is financed through various means, including corporate sponsorships, book sponsorships, the sale of facsimiles, and merchandise.
Anyone wishing to offer support can contact the Ex Litteris Immortalitas support association for further information. Email: ppgad@pucrs.br.
The guided tour of Melk Abbey, which every visitor can take, ends at this point.
However, as part of our press trip, we are allowed to take a look behind the scenes of the library.
Bernadette Kalteis and Johannes Deibl are working on this project. They are showing us books that are being restored. This includes, for example, this herbal from 1609.
The collegiate church in Melk
A visit to Melk Abbey isn't complete without a visit to the abbey church. The best time to do this is at 12:00 noon for the monks' midday prayer. This lasts half an hour and offers a glimpse into the monks' daily life.
At the same time, it offers the opportunity to review previous impressions of Melk Abbey, Austria, in one's mind's eye.
During our visit, a guitarist accompanied the monks' choral singing. This was enjoyed not only by us, but also by the young guests from all over the world.
The ceiling painting by the Tyrolean artist Johann Michael Rottmayr is also magnificent to look at. The Italian theater engineer Antonio Beduzzi designed the side altars like chapels.
Shopping in the monastery shop
Before enjoying our lunch in the abbey's restaurant, we'll make a detour to the monastery shop.
Besides postcards showing the abbey, you can also buy products from the monastery and the monastery garden there.
We were particularly fascinated by the herbs and medicinal plants that are used to make liqueurs, herb salts, chocolates and other products.
Lunch in the restaurant at Melk Abbey
After this artistic feast, culinary delights are now in order. With a bit of luck, we'll manage to snag a table on the terrace.
However, it's best to reserve a table. The restaurant at Melk Abbey is very popular.
We ordered roast pork with dumplings. We were served a huge portion that would definitely satisfy even the biggest appetite.
The abbey park and the garden pavilion
To conclude our visit to Melk Abbey, we take some time for a walk through the abbey park.
You can also explore the park on a 70-minute guided tour. We did this during our trip through three monastery gardens in Lower Austria .
This time, however, we don't have as much time. But we won't miss a visit to the garden pavilion. The exotic frescoes by Johann Wenzel Bergl are always worth seeing.
If you have the time and inclination, you can also enjoy coffee and cake there.
Our tip: also discover Göttweig Abbey
- Göttweig Abbey in the Wachau: magnificent views, good wines & baroque splendor
Parking
You can also park for free with your entry ticket. You then have to validate the parking ticket when you buy the ticket.
Opening hours, prices and guided tours at Melk Abbey
You need this to visit Melk Abbey
- Wear comfortable shoes for wide feetwhere you can walk well even on rough paths
- A backpack is definitely practical for everything you need on the go.
- The region also offers beautiful photo opportunities. Therefore, you should bring a camera .
Have you already been to Melk Abbey?
What were your impressions? Did you experience anything special there? Perhaps you have tips that might help other visitors? We'd love to hear your tips in the comments. Our readers will also greatly appreciate them.
Do you like to travel by motorhome?
- Do you want to rent a mobile home? Then you can find information here, for example, as well as booking options. Or would you rather stay overnight instead? roof tent on the car? In addition, the overnight stay in camping tents is possible.
- Be sure to check our packing list for camperswhether you have packed everything for your motorhome tour. Then you are ready for your weekend in the Wachau.
- You want to know where you can stay overnight stay in Europe can and are you looking for pitches and campsites? You can find information on this, for example, under this link.
- Melk campsite, Kolomaniau 3, 3390 Melk, Austria. There are other campsites nearby* (advertisement). After a day trip, you can relax in a Dutch Oven on the portable grill . You can also find Dutch oven accessories here.
- Why is a folding e-bike useful when camping?
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You need this for a hike at Melk Abbey in the Wachau
- Pack your backpack with our packing list for hikers. Then you are guaranteed to have everything you need on the go.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for wide feetwhere you can walk well even on rough paths
- A large backpack is definitely practical for everything you need on the go.
- The region also offers beautiful photo opportunities. Therefore, you should bring a camera .
- Are you looking for other equipment for hikers?
- You can find hiking stages on the World Heritage Trail through the Wachau here
Learn more:
- Official Website
- Wikipedia
- UNESCO Wachau
- Visit Melk
- monastery archive
- Abbey library
- Article about the Melk Reform in the 15th century
Travel Arrangements:
Parking at the airport
Here you can reserve your parking space at the airport.
Getting to Melk Abbey, Austria
Compare and book flights here*. (Advertisement) The nearest airport is Vienna Schwechat. From there you can travel to Melk either by rental car or by public transport. There is also a train station in Melk.
By rental car to Melk Abbey:
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Source Melk Monastery: research on site. Sources for History of the monastery: Melk Abbey. We would like to thank Klösterreich and Melk Abbey for the invitation to this trip. However, our opinion is our own.
Updated on 4.12.2025
Text Stift Melk Austria: Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos Melk Abbey Austria: Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Video: Petar Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
