Melk Abbey – the old palace
Baroque Architecture | June 1, 2010Melk Abbey (in German language – Stift Melk) was in the beginning a palace, and even today has the same look. Positioned on the banks of the Danube River in between Vienna and Salzburg, Melk Abbey stands different by towers as well as stunning in a golden tone.
The imposing Baroque assembly at Melk was constructed in between 1702-1736 by a renowned architect Jakob Prandtauer. In particular remarkable is the church with wonderful frescoes that are made by Johann Michael Rottmayr as well as the library, which contains countless manuscripts from medieval times.
The monastic community in Melk is more than 900 yrs old as well as black-robed Benedictine monks even today stroll amidst the frescoed walls as marble sculptures. It is in the present, a high-status coed monastery school that has more than 700 students.
Things to see in Melk Abbey:
The drawing of this current abbey ensemble (constructed 1702-1736) is principally the work of the renowned architect Jakob Prandtauer. In addition, the Marmorsaal (commonly the Marble Hall) encloses pilasters coated by red marble as well as a ceiling that is allegorical painted through Paul Troger.
The library rises at the height of two floors as well as has the Troger ceiling, with almost around 80,000 volumes of the priceless works. Furthermore, the Kaisergang (commonly the Emperors’ Gallery) widens for almost 198 meters (650 feet.), decorated by means of portraits of the Austrian royalty.
The best part of the abbey, however, is without doubt the Stiftskirche (commonly Abbey Church). This church has a surprising number of windows as well as is luxuriously embellished by means of marble as well as frescoes, which are composed by Johann Michael Rottmayr and he was been assisted by Troger.
From the terrace of abbey you will come across fine views of the adjacent river, which Napoleon perhaps used as a watch out while he had appointed Melk as his command center for the campaign in opposition to Austria.
Furthermore, the abbey restaurant (locally known as Stifts restaurant Melk) is located in close proximity to the entrance and serves hot meals along with monastery wine within gorgeous Baroque as well as outdoor surroundings.
Melk Abbey Opening hours:
May to September: morning 9 am to 5:30 pm in the evening (final admission is made at 5pm)
April and October: morning 9 am to 4:30 pm in the evening (final admission is made at 4pm)
November to March: only kept open on the guided tours
Melk Abbey Entrance fees:
If you are visiting this site with the guided tour, in that case €9.50 for adults and €6.30 for students is been charged, also if you are visiting without tour, in that case €7.70 for adults and €4.50 for students is been charged.
Melk Abbey Facilities:
The only facility that is available at the site of Melk Abbey is the restaurant.
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Today’s impressive Baroque abbey was built between 1702 and 1736 to designs by Jakob Prandtauer.
Particularly noteworthy is the abbey church with frescos by Johann Michael Rottmayr and the impressive library with countless medieval manuscripts, including a famed collection of musical manuscripts and frescos by Paul Troger.
he school was returned to the abbey after the Second World War and now caters for nearly 900 pupils of both sexes.