Melk, Austria

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Great day.

Journeyed overnight and through the Wachau valley- the wine country of Austria- early this morning. Beautiful landscapes; terraced vineyards, rustic villages lined with cobble stone roads. Life seems simple here. Our travels took us to Melk. We visited the Abbey that was a castle first built in the 900's and turned over to Benedictine Monks in about 1089. It burned to the ground in 1700 and was rebuilt between 1702 and 1726. 2 million bricks were used in the reconstruction. They are now excavating some ruins where the old buildings were covered by new. This is still a working monastery with 33 practicing monks and 700 students. The buildings are dripping with history- a place where royal families and their courts would travel to when getting away from the bustle of city life. The library is home to over 100,000 manuscripts, some dating back as much as 500 years. Arnet and i decided to walk through the streets of the old town rather than ride the coach back. We found and wandered the forest which is lush and green, that separates the Danube canal from the river. Maples, Chestnut trees, Poplars are aplenty. I have yet to see an evergreen though. Chef made Austrian Apple Strudel for our late day snack. We have just crossed through our second set of locks en route to Passau.

Loving this adventure!

MnA

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Photos

Wachau
Terraced vineyards on the hills