Day 11 – Krems; Wandering the old Cobblestone Streets

15 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Amsterdam to Budapest, Austria, Krems, River Cruising, Time flies when you're globe trotting and river cruising, Uncategorized

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

Cobble Stone Streets, Flowering Horse Chestnuts, Krems, Melk Abbey, St Vitus Church, UNESCO, Wachau Valley, Wisteria

Magnificent Melk Abbey, Austria.

After a wonderful morning spent exploring the magnificent Melk Abbey D.B. and I had walked down from the hill overlooking the little township and then back towards the river through the little shopping precinct. We had stopped to browse and buy a couple of souvenirs along the way.

Melk Abbey sits on a rocky outcrop in Austria.

Soon back on board our longship, the Viking Tor, we set sail towards Vienna in the early afternoon. We were now passing through the emerald green landscape of the UNESCO protected Wachau Valley.

Emerald Green Wachau Valley, Austria.

The valley itself is famous for its rolling hills, old monasteries, castle ruins and fertile grape growing soils. We spent much of the early afternoon just relaxing on the lovely glassed-in aquavit terrace of our riverboat, enjoying the scenery of this wonderful picturesque countryside as we sampled a glass or two of the local produce.

Viking Tor tied up at Krems, Austria.

By about mid-afternoon we’d tied up in a little riverside township called Krems (population about 23,000).

Krems, Austria.

Dearly beloved D.B. and I decided we’d like to do a little bit of exploring on our own this time rather than joining the optional winery tour group.

Spotting a smart little red and green sightseeing train, we thought we might be able to get some bearings on this little place by boarding it for a short tour around the small township. Unfortunately it was already 4.00 p.m. and the train was in fact returning from its final run for the day. D.B. decided to have a bit of a chat to the rather friendly local train driver while I encouraged them both to pose for the camera. D.B. being in a teaching frame of mind, decided to give the friendly local train driver some good old Aussie lessons on how to signal a thumbs up! It made for a fun photo anyway.

Red and Green Sightseeing Train, Krems, Austria.

D.B. and I then continued on our way, exploring the beautiful old cobblestone streets in pretty little Krems on foot.

As we wandered around we saw;

The cobblestoned streets of the old town area.

Some long avenues of flowering horse chestnut trees.

A most beautiful rambling wisteria.

The Pfarrkirche or Parish Church of St Vitus.

The Dreifaltigkeitssaule or Holy Trinity Column dating from 1738.

A delightful old vine-covered building.

Nicely renovated little frontages to very old homes with showy little flower boxes to attract attention.

And lastly some beautiful purple bearded iris.

After about an hour or two spent just wandering we ambled back to the comfort of our ever comfortable floating hotel for yet another sumptuous dinner. Life on board was so relaxed and carefree. Not even a bed to make come morning. D.B. and I just wish we had someone to spoil us like this all the time!

Dining Room onboard Viking Tor.

Here are some video links to see more of the beautiful Golden Wachau Valley and Krems:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1qJDBTxFj8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4sD6IjgH4k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_1yGmvcDZk

Day 11 – Melk; And a Most Magnificent Benedictine Abbey. (kidazzleink.com)
Melk Abbey Infinite (likeitiz.wordpress.com)
https://www.pinterest.com/aleksandralukac/a-u-s-t-r-i-a/

Day 11 – Melk; And a Most Magnificent Benedictine Abbey.

13 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by KidazzleInk.com in Amsterdam to Budapest, Austria, Melk Abbey, River Cruising, Time flies when you're globe trotting and river cruising, Uncategorized, Viking River Cruise

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

Austria, Christian, Historical treasure, Magnificent Grandeur, Melk, Melk Abbey, Order of Saint Benedict, Photography

Melk Abbey, Austria.

We awoke early on Day 11 to find ourselves travelling through magical Austria

It was akin to a good dream … one that comes back just to bless you a second time!

This was now our second visit to an absolutely captivating country.

After all, we had already explored a little of the Salzburg Provence just three short weeks ago before even boarding our Longship Tor on this amazingly wonderful river Cruise.

For those of you who have been travelling with us, you will know I’d already fallen in love with the wonderfully mesmerizing blues and greens of the Austrian landscape. I’d been totally drawn in by our sightseeing around this wonderful country and its glorious snow capped alps, beautiful alpine spa regions and pristine lakes districts. You may or may not recall that this had been one of initial destinations earlier on in this, “Our Grand European Sojourn” in the Spring of 2013.

Docking in the little town of Melk (Population approx 5,000), D.B. and I were soon busing our way up to the rocky outcrop at the top of the hill which overlooks the small township. Indeed, we were off to see the magnificent Melk Abbey in all its historical monastic glory. Belonging to the Benedictine monks, Melk Abbey is just simply brim full of the most incredibly ornate historical treasures. It was truly another of those most notable and stand out sightseeing ventures of our holiday.

Exterior of Melk Abbey, Austria

Do watch this video below if you would prefer a night time view of the Magnificent Abbey.

Initially built in the 10^th century A.D. as a castle and home for King Leopold 1, it was later gifted in around the 11^th century to the Benedictine order of monks by King Leopold 2. Melk Abbey has been home to the Benedictines ever since.

However as we well know, the course of history rarely runs smoothly. Much of the original castle section of the abbey burnt to the ground in the 13^th century. Different smaller sections were rebuilt in centuries following. By about the 15^th century it housed the most remarkable library and scriptitorium. The churches often controlled the printed word at this time and held huge collections of books.

Library, Melk Abbey, Austria

It was much much later…….. in around the 18^th century that another rebuild and further remodeling saw it establish its current magnificent baroque style.

Today, tourists continue to travel from all around the world to visit the tiny little township called Melk; most come so they can visit and view this truly remarkable abbey. Housing a very eclectic monastic mix of the most wonderfully guilded treasures from throughout Benedictine religious history, Melk Abbey continues to be a drawcard for both Christians and non-Christians alike. There is just so much opulence….and so much grandeur……..at times sensory overload but oh so ….WELL YES ….MAGNIFICENT.

The Painted Ceilings, Melk Abbey, Austria.

Once again as one area led on to the next and then to the next……. each seemed to surpass the other for both its storehouse of treasures and its magnificent architectural features. Truly again all D.B. and I could say was WOW, WOW, WOW and WOW!! What a truly amazing place.