911爆料网

The Hauptplatz serves as Melk鈥檚 lively main square, a central stage for community life where history and modernity come together. Its architecture is especially notable, with houses that preserve late medieval and Gothic features. Look closely and you鈥檒l notice bay windows, sturdy stone fa莽ades, shuttered openings, and iron-framed doors.

Market days bring a special energy to the square, transforming it into a bustling fairground. Stalls are filled with fresh produce, flowers, regional delicacies, and sometimes handmade crafts, keeping alive traditions of exchange that have animated the town for generations. Today, the Main Square remains a favorite gathering point, lined with caf茅s, shops, and terraces.

Now recognized as a protected cultural monument, the statue of Saint Johannes of Nepomuk is catalogued as a superb example of high-Baroque art and dates back to 1736, the work of sculptor Peter Widerin.

Observe the saint鈥檚 distinguishing symbols: the priest鈥檚 biretta atop his head, the crucifix he gently holds, and the halo of five stars encircling his brow. These iconographic details are characteristic of John of Nepomuk, whose legend tells that he was martyred in Prague after refusing to betray the confessional seal-thrown into a river from a bridge-and has since become a protector of bridges and safeguard against floods.

Walk all the way around the monument and you will find rich reliefs carved into the pedestal. These sculpted panels tell the life story of the saint, from his pilgrimage and the queen鈥檚 confession, through his torture, the dramatic fall from the bridge, to the recovery of his remains and his elevation into sanctity. In this way, the pedestal acts as a visual narrative of faith and sacrifice.

The Church of the Assumption of Mary traces its roots to the medieval period. Originally connected to a church dedicated to Saint Stephen around 1020, the parish later moved to a Marienkirche that was reconstructed in 1481 after the earlier structure had deteriorated. In 1693, responsibility for the church was transferred to the Benedictine Abbey.

Architecturally, the building is designed as a three-aisled pillar basilica. Its soaring ceilings rest on solid octagonal columns joined by pointed arches, with the choir marked by a star-ribbed vault and the nave by a net-ribbed one. Much of the interior decoration dates to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the high and side altars, a marble and iron communion rail, finely carved oak furnishings, and framed Stations of the Cross. A particular highlight is the stained glass created with themes drawn from the Litany of Loreto.

Among the notable details are reliefs on the main altar portraying the Adoration of the Magi and the Last Supper, alongside two gilded reliquary shrines that preserve relics of Saints Coloman and Urban. Another point of interest is the Maria-Hilf Chapel on the church鈥檚 south side, added in 1684 as an act of thanksgiving for protection during the Turkish wars.

the Historic Weather House, within the City Park, was part of the original furnishings when the park was laid out in 1886. Shaped in the style of a small pavilion, it is fitted with instruments such as a thermometer, barometer, and hygrometer, and was one of several ornamental features-alongside ponds, fountains, and promenades.

Today, the structure is listed as a protected cultural monument. Though modern forecasts have long replaced its practical role, the Weather House recalls an era when public meteorological displays embodied civic progress and innovation. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these installations were valued for providing accessible information on temperature, humidity, air pressure, and cardinal directions.

They often became familiar local landmarks and points of reference within their communities. A curious anecdote from World War I tells of a newspaper quip suggesting that people could study 鈥渨ar geography鈥� at such sites, since many bore marble plaques showing directions and distances to far-off cities.

City Park offers a tranquil green retreat, designed with cross-shaped and circular paths that divide it into four sections, with a central square adding a touch of symmetry. Details such as a pavilion, a fountain, and a small 鈥渨eather house鈥� enhance the charm of the natural setting.

A memorial to Franz X. Linde, who was instrumental in the park鈥檚 creation, was erected here in 1904. Since then, the park has become a beloved escape for both locals and visitors, providing a calm space of trees and shade.

Its modest size is part of the appeal, creating an inviting atmosphere with shaded benches and neat pathways. Informational signs along some of the walkways highlight different tree species, while recent improvements have added features like new stairways, a slide, and a basket swing.

The Old Post Office is an elegant building often hailed as one of Austria鈥檚 most beautiful historic post offices, and it draws the eye with its richly decorated facade and symbolic reliefs. It was commissioned in 1792, marking the transition between late Baroque and early Classicist forms, with decorative stucco reliefs, medallions, and motifs that pay homage to postal services and its historical role in communication.

On the facade, visitors can see medallions honoring past postmasters-one of which is thought to represent F眉rnberg, the man behind the building鈥檚 creation. Alongside these portraits appear allegorical figures such as Mercury, the Roman god of trade and communication, together with symbols of postal work including saddles, mailbags, riding gear, and heraldic motifs. The building鈥檚 upper portion also features a double-headed eagle, a classic emblem that adds stately gravitas to the entrance.

Over the years, the Post Office building has played a variety of civic and cultural roles. On its western lower level, the city museum was located, displaying many archaeological and prehistoric artifacts from the region. The museum operates under the City Archive and Museum Melk, and visits are possible by telephone appointment. Meanwhile, the building itself continues to stand out as a cherished landmark in Melk鈥檚 old town.

The Hotel & Restaurant Zur Post offers visitors a refined blend of Austrian hospitality and regional culinary tradition. Its central position on the town鈥檚 main square places guests just steps from shops, caf茅s, and sights, while many of its rooms provide direct views of the imposing Melk Abbey above. Because of its prime location and amenities, Zur Post also makes an excellent base for exploring Melk.

Culinary offerings at Zur Post emphasize seasonal Austrian classics with a modern twist, rooted in ingredients from the Wachau valley and the Mostviertel region. Guests may dine in the rustic Post Lounge, in elegant settings such as the Baroque Room or the Wine Delight Room, or outside in the garden with views of the Abbey. Breakfast is often served in the arcaded courtyard when the weather allows and typically includes homemade jams, compotes, local breads, and fresh eggs.

Ambling down Main Street feels like stepping through stacked chapters of Melk鈥檚 past: medieval plots sit behind later Baroque fa莽ades, with 19th-century shopfronts tying it all together. Window-browse for local crafts, pause at caf茅s, and drop into tasting rooms celebrating the region鈥檚 signature apricot specialities.

Keep an eye on the 鈥淩ed Thread鈥� way finding route-Melk鈥檚 1.5-km themed trail is marked through the old town and up toward the abbey. Following it from the center brings you past highlights like the Old Post House and other historic stops that reveal how the town grew beneath the abbey鈥檚 terrace.

Fun fact: If you trace the Red Thread from Main Street toward the river, you鈥檙e literally following a modern nod to centuries of town planning-Melk鈥檚 version joins a small club of European cities that paint a 鈥渞ed line鈥� through their historic cores to guide visitors.

Housed in a 16th-century building on Melk鈥檚 Rathausplatz, Restaurant zum F眉rsten offers both the charm of history and the comfort of a modern caf茅-restaurant. Its centuries-old walls have witnessed the evolution of the town, yet today they provide travelers with a relaxed setting to pause between visits to the abbey and the old town.

The kitchen focuses on Austrian staples and caf茅 favorites, complemented by daily pastries and desserts prepared in-house. A highlight for many visitors is the ice cream, made according to recipes from Europe鈥檚 first professional ice-cream school. Coffee is another specialty here: beans are roasted on site and brewed into blends unique to the house. For those who prefer wine, the adjoining bar offers a thoughtful selection from the Wachau region.

Beyond its role as a restaurant, zum F眉rsten also functions as a small guesthouse. A handful of rooms with traditional character invite overnight stays, making it a convenient option for travelers who want to linger in Melk a little longer.

The site of Melk鈥檚 Town Hall traces back to medieval times, when a tap house and a meat market once stood here. After a series of destructive fires, the abbot donated the property to the townspeople in 1575, enabling them to erect a proper town hall. Over the centuries the building has been reshaped, and its fa莽ade now carries echoes of Baroque influence from later renovations.

Among its distinguishing features is the finely carved entrance door - wrought in wood and copper - which continues to attract admirers for its detail and craftsmanship. Flanking the square that surrounds the Town Hall are historic neighbors: to one side, the Gingerbread Maker鈥檚 House and on the other, a medieval building of uncertain origin.

In its position, the Town Hall acts as a focal point in Melk鈥檚 pedestrian zones and historical pathways. From here, various alleys, lanes, and streets fan out toward the abbey, the former city gates, and riverside quarters.

The Gingerbread Maker鈥檚 House, was built in 1657 and once belonged to the guild of Lebzelters-artisans known for producing honey-cakes, gingerbread, and other spiced confections. Like many guild houses of the time, it served both as a workshop and a residence, reflecting the close ties between domestic life and trade in early modern Austria.

As centuries passed and guild traditions declined, the building adapted to new uses. Its fa莽ade, with distinctive window forms, masonry, and painted shutters, still carries echoes of its original function while blending naturally into the evolving streetscape of Melk鈥檚 old town.

Today, the Gingerbread Maker鈥檚 House houses a pharmacy, keeping it actively woven into daily life rather than preserved as a static monument. This ongoing use ensures that the building continues to serve the community, while its preserved historic features offer a quiet reminder of Melk鈥檚 artisan heritage.

Melk Abbey is one of Austria鈥檚 most significant architectural landmarks and also a living Benedictine monastery famed by its imposing yellow-ochre fa莽ade, twin towers, and central dome, making it visible along the river. The roots of Melk Abbey trace back to 1089 when Margrave Leopold II of the Babenberg dynasty granted a castle and its grounds to Benedictine monks from Lambach, establishing a monastic foundation on this strategic riverside cliff.

From early on, the monastery cultivated a monastic school and a scriptorium, and by the 12th century it had developed a reputation for manuscript production, education, and theological inquiry. In the 15th century Melk also became the birthplace of the Melk Reform, a movement to revitalize monastic discipline and liturgical life that later influenced many Benedictine houses in Austria and southern Germany.

The magnificent Baroque structure you see today was constructed largely between 1702 and 1736. Prominent artists-including Johann Michael Rottmayr, Paul Troger, Antonio Beduzzi, and Lorenzo Mattielli-were commissioned to supply frescoes, altarpieces, and stucco work, turning the abbey into an expressive showcase of high Baroque design. The abbey church stands as the spiritual and visual core of the monastery, filled with light, marble, gilding, and rich iconography.

Inside, the library is one of Melk鈥檚 most celebrated treasures. It houses tens of thousands of volumes and unique manuscripts, including medieval, theological, and historical works. Along with the Imperial Staircase, the Imperial Corridor, nearly 196 m long, and the Marble Hall, the library forms part of the 鈥渋mperial鈥� section of the abbey, which once hosted Habsburg and noble guests and now serves as museum space.

Many monasteries in Austria were suppressed during Emperor Joseph II鈥檚 reforms in the late 18th century, but Melk was spared, thanks in part to its cultural prestige and closeness to the state. It also survived the Napoleonic era, the Nazi period, during which parts were confiscated, and a major interior fire in 1974 that required decades of restoration. Today, Benedictine monks still live and worship there, and the abbey continues to host a co-educational secondary school, making it one of Austria鈥檚 oldest educational institutions in operation.