Vienna is primarily known as a stronghold of Art Nouveau, but you’ll also find several Baroque buildings in our city, such as the Old City Hall, the Hofburg, and many of the palaces and churches. A true gem of this art-historical era, however, lies outside our city in the Wachau region: Melk Abbey has practically epitomized the Baroque style and is one of Austria’s most famous landmarks. Here, splendor meets opulence in rooms that are practically overflowing with frescoes, stucco, and other decorations. Lose yourself on a day trip in the rich detail of the monastery, which you’ll never tire of admiring.
From economic hardship to a magnificent building
You wouldn’t guess it looking at the building today, but Melk Abbey struggled financially for centuries. The abbey’s founding dates back to 1089, when the first Benedictine monks settled in the then-new building on the hill above Melk on the Danube. It was directly subordinate to the Pope and had its own scriptorium and monastery school. But 200 years after its founding, a fire broke out that almost completely destroyed Melk Abbey. This marked the beginning of the monastery’s economic hardship, which lasted well into the 16th century.
In 1564, Urban Perntaz arrived in Melk, bringing the monastery back on track and laying the foundation for its economic revival. Debts were paid off, the monastery was restored, and despite the Thirty Years’ War, Melk’s fortunes began to rise. Finally, on November 18, 1700, Berthold Dietmayr was elected abbot and began the complete reconstruction of the monastery. After 36 years, construction was completed, and Melk Abbey was reborn as a Baroque complex that attracts numerous tourists today.
Austria’s largest Baroque monastery
Melk Abbey is an imposing complex overlooking the Danube, measuring a full 320 meters in length along its main axis. You enter the abbey from the east through the large portal, where Saints Leopold and Koloman welcome you. Behind it, the magnificent façade of Melk Abbey awaits, just waiting to be discovered by you. The monastery features numerous impressive rooms as well as a museum, all of which are definitely worth a visit. However, the Marble Hall and the Abbey Library stand out in particular.
The first was a banquet hall for secular guests and, as the name suggests, is made of genuine Salzburg marble and stucco. The entire ceiling is a massive, detailed fresco by Paul Troger. He also worked on the library, which spans three full floors. It is connected to the church by a spiral staircase; the church is flanked by two towers and features a 64-meter-high dome. Its interior is characterized by opulent stucco and gold leaf decorations, as well as numerous frescoes.
If you eventually get enough of the abbey’s ornate rooms, you can step out into the gardens to get some fresh air and admire the meticulously manicured grounds. Stroll through the little paradise garden and along the 250-year-old lime trees. If you find yourself craving more Baroque in between, you can stop by the pavilion, where more stucco and frescoes await you. Here you can pop into a café to recharge. Or you can head to the abbey restaurant, which is nestled within a small park.
A visit to Melk Abbey
Melk Abbey is considered a landmark of the Wachau region and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Umberto Eco named the main character of his novel “The Name of the Rose” after the abbey, further boosting its fame. If you want to visit Melk Abbey yourself, it takes about an hour from Vienna, and admission is usually €16 at the ticket office. You can explore it on your own or take a guided tour. An audio guide is also available.
Furthermore, cultural events such as concerts and art openings take place regularly at Melk Abbey. In May, you can also attend the Baroque Days here—after all, what better place? According to Steven Beller, the abbey is the “most emblematic and dominant Baroque building.”
📍 Location: Melk Abbey, Stiftsstr. 1, 3390 Melk
🕑 Opening hours: April 1 to October 31, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
💶 Price information: €16 regular, €8 reduced, €4 surcharge for guided tours
