Day 11 - Wachau Valley-Danube River Cruising & Melk Abbey

Another beautiful day. It rained during the night but we woke to partly cloudy skies which turned to brilliant blue skies and warm.

We passed by Durnstein with its castle on the hill where Richard the Lionhearted was once imprisoned. There were many quaint villages and castles cod us to see including Krems & Stein.

After lunch we went to Melk Abbey. It was originally built as a palace but was given in to the Benedictine Monks in the 11th century who turned it into a fortified abbey.  It was turned into a baroque "extravaganza" in the early 1700's. The abbey has over 360 windows. Presently there are only 40 monks presiding there & also is a school for over 700 students.

These are folding story boards used to teach Bible lessons. Each panel were probably 3' x 4'.

Melk  Abbey

Looking up the spiral staircase

Granite Room

When the blue diamonds on the cross are turned, the cross opens & supposedly contains a piece of the cross that Jesus died on .

This is Joey, our stand up comedian who is also a fantastic tour director.