Melk

Saturday the 16th- it must be Melk. We arrived this am in time to go to the  Abbey of the Benedictine Monks.  This Abbey is still used today as a church and a school.  There are 800 students here from 10 to 18  years of age, I guess you could say the school is semi-private.
The Abbey has been rebuilt several times and the last time was after Napoleon left the area.  He burned his papers and part of the structure.

It has been preserved quite well and the marvel of touring is the introduction of TV's to tell the story of the Abbey.  The Melk Cross was made in 1362 and was inlaid with jewels.  The library was very grand with as many of the original books.  They even have hidden doors through the bookcases where the monks could go to read with the sunlight. Unfortunately, no photos. 

The ABBEY

The Church

View from the Gardens

The courtyard

The Melk Cross

The Fresco in the Church - again painted on a flat ceiling

The Charming town of Melk

Pharmacy stop