Melk and then up the river to Passau

After Melk, we'll go to Passau

DAY 3 - Melk

Abbey tour

Set amidst an important wine-growing region with picturesque villages and hilltop castles, the charming city of Melk lies at the confluence of the Danube and Melk Rivers at the base of the Wachau Valley. Melk Abbey or Stift Melk (official Website)is an imposing 900-year-old Benedictine abbey, a breathtaking example of baroque architecture, overlooks the town from its dramatic hilltop location. This architectural treasure has 365 windows, one for each day of the year. Its beautiful library houses medieval manuscripts and marvelous frescoes by Paul Troger, and its meticulously kept grounds are inviting and picturesque.

Because of connections with Mozart Melk Abbey will organize a “Mozart Path” in the Abbey Park between May 1st and November 5th, 2006. In the Baroque Garden Pavilion and other prominent places in the Abbey Park there will be contemporary sculptures and installations inspired by the life and time of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In this manner Melk Abbey wants to remind of Mozart’s visits and “playfully” indicate that Mozart has left his traces also in Melk.

The Abbey Park will be open from May 1st to November 5th, 2006 daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will be accessible with a ticket for a visit to the monastery as well as with an admission ticket only for the Abbey Park. In this manner Melk Abbey wants to remind of Mozart’s visits and “playfully” indicate that Mozart has left his traces also in Melk. The Abbey Park will be open from May 1st to November 5th, 2006 daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will be accessible with a ticket for a visit to the monastery as well as with an admission ticket only for the Abbey Park.

4       Passau

Walking tour, organ concert* & free time

Set at the confluence of Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers, enchanting Passau is home to charming cobblestone streets, elegantly colored building facades, and graceful arcades. Founded by the Celts more than 2,000 years ago, it is one of Bavaria's oldest cities. Passau's baroque St. Stephan's Cathedral houses the world's largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes, which is still used for concerts today.