This grand Benedictine monastery sits atop a rocky hill overlooking the Danube River. Its 18th-century Baroque buildings include a church and a library with medieval treasures.
Melk rises above the Danube River in Lower Austria, with its massive yellow Baroque abbey dominating the skyline. In the Old Town, medieval buildings line the narrow streets, including the 15th-century Haus am Stein with centuries-old vines growing across its facade. From here, you can cycle along the Danube through the Wachau Valley or explore the region's medieval castles like Aggstein, perched high above the river.
Exploring Melk Abbey
The yellow Baroque abbey commands a rocky hilltop above the Danube River. Walk through the Marble Hall to see the ceiling frescoes depicting allegorical figures, then continue to the monastery library where monks have preserved 100,000 medieval manuscripts across twelve rooms. The abbey church glows with gold leaf decorations, while Johann Michael Rottmayr's ceiling paintings tell biblical stories. Saint Coloman's tomb lies within the church. Benedictine monks continue their daily routines here, as they have since 1089 when Leopold II transformed his castle into a monastery.
Walking Through Old Town
Walk along the Sterngasse, Melk's oldest street, where medieval houses lean against fragments of the original city walls. The 1575 town hall anchors the Rathausplatz, its wooden and copper entrance door marking centuries of civic life. Next door, the 1657 Lebzelterhaus, now operating as a pharmacy, stands beside the Kolomanbrunnen fountain where Saint Koloman's statue watches over the square. Walk down to the riverside Schiffsmeisterhaus, where lines marked on the walls record historic Danube water levels.
Discovering the Wachau Valley
The Danube winds 30 kilometers between Melk and Krems through the Wachau Valley. Cycle the Donauradweg path to reach riverside towns and vineyards. Five kilometers from Melk, walk through Schallaburg Castle's Renaissance courtyard to see its distinctive terracotta decorations and Italian architectural elements. Climb to Aggstein Castle's ruins, 300 meters above the river, to look across the valley's vineyards and villages.
Practical Information
Trains depart hourly from Vienna to Melk, with the journey taking about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The abbey welcomes visitors daily throughout the year, with guides speaking multiple languages. Join the monks for noon prayers or Sunday services to experience the abbey's daily rhythms. Every Wednesday, local vendors sell wild honey, smoked fish, and seasonal produce at the market in the pedestrian zone.
