The Wachau

Visit to the Melk Abbey

For over 1000 years, Melk has been an important religious and cultural centre.

Artists such as Jakob Prandtauer and Michael Rottmayr worked together from 1702 - 1736 to create a work of art to worship God which few other places rival.

After a comprehensive restoration, Stift Melk once again presents itself as a memorable highlight in Austria.

Visits to the monastery are possible all year round. The church, the Marble Hall, the Monastery Library with over 100,000 old books, the numerous famous frescoes throughout the Abbey and the "Altane" with its grand view over the Danube are the highlights of every visit.

The Melk Abbey

Wachau River Cruises

The boat trip through the Wachau, the most beautiful section of the Danube between Melk and Krems, is incomparable !

Endless vineyards on terraced hills and picturesque little villages alongside the Danube appear like pearls on a necklace. The most well-known are Krems, Loiben, Duernstein, Weissenkirchen and Spitz. Each of these villages has its own charm and character and is definately worth a short trip on land.

Two boat companies offer trips. The "MS Austria", belonging to Brandner Schifffahrt, is amongst the largest ships on the Danube. She was adapted specially for the Wachau and offers seats for 600 passengers. The DDSG Blue Danue company offers trips Krems - Melk - Krems on the boat "MS Wachau" and "MS Prinz Eugen".

DDSG Blue Danube Schiffahrt GmbH
Brandner .... on the Danube

Visit to the Goettweig Abbey

The Benectine Monastery is located at 449 m above sea level on the Göttweig Hill, only a few kilometres to the south of Krems.

The "Austrian Montecassino" was founded in 1083 and handed over to the Benedictines in 1094.

The baroque monastery was built according to plans by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt, after the pervious monastery had been destroyed in a fire in 1718.

Special highlights are the museum in the Imperial Wing, the Imperial Stairway with the ceiling fresco, painted by Paul Troger in 1739, the Royal and Imperial Appartments and the church with crypt and cloister.

A restaurant with panoramic terrace offers unique views over the Wachau in addition to excellent regional cuisine.

The Gottweig Abbey