Location
The monastery is located on the right bank of the Danube, on the outskirts of the city of Melk.
Ticket price and opening hours
Ticket price (until December 2020):
- Excursions – adults 12.50 euros (without a guide) and 14.50 euros (with a guide)
- Walk in the yard to the entrance to the monastery – free
Opening hours:
- Monastery – from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- North bastion, laboratory, park – from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
About the Monastery
Bishop Altman Passau played an important role in the appearance of the monastery in Melk. In 1085 he was expelled from Passau and was able to find refuge in the possessions of Margrave Leopold II Babenberg. Thanks to the bishop’s influence, a Benedictine monastery was built in 1089.
On August 14, 1297, a huge fire broke out. Many buildings were destroyed by fire, including a library with most manuscripts and other historical writings.
In 1564, a new abbot Urban Pentaz was appointed to Melk, who began to restore the monastery. He and his successors restored the farm and restored the buildings, gained independence from secular power and paid off their debts.
As we see it now, the monastery appeared on the orders of Abbot Berthold Dietmire, elected on November 18, 1700. He invited the architect Jacob Prandtower, who developed the Baroque project. A large number of architects and artists took part in the construction of such a grandiose complex. Due to financial difficulties and a strong fire of 1738, only in 1746 all construction work was finished, and the monastery reopened.
At the beginning of the 20th century, a great deal of work was done to improve the living conditions in the monastery: new running water, sewerage and electricity were installed.
The maintenance of the abbey is quite a heavy material burden, so in 2000 it was decided to open the territory to tourists.
A short road from the abbey to the city runs through this arch, which will take you to a street with shops, hotels and restaurants popular with tourists.
You can find all the relevant information about the work of the monastery on the official website.
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