Day trip on Sept 18th to Melk

Stiftmelk is a Catholic Monastery outside Vienna near the little town of Melk.  As if the baroque architecture and many gardens weren't pretty enough, the view looks out over Melk and rolling green hills.  It was gorgeous!  There are currently 30 monks and about 200 teenage students here.  

The abbey is that red-tiled and bluish-green roofed building on the top right.

The first courtyard was breathtaking.

The tour of its history was particularly interesting.  The tour led us through several rooms remodeled by a modern artist.  Each room represented a different scene of the abbey's history.  It was odd to see the modern style in stark contrast to the old architecture.

The blue hue here represents the beginning.  On the wall reads a single word: listen.

The green hue represents its subsequent growth.  We're looking at a box with the stories of Jesus Christ carved on the sides.  Can you find me in the pic? 

My favorite couple rooms were these next two, because they showed the difference from the medieval ages to the wealthy and prosperous baroque age.

Baroque architecture is known for its elaborate gold statues.  The mirrors in this room emphasize the grandeur of the Catholic church.  

Here the viewer's attention is directed toward the importance of the pope and saints.

And here represents the reform.  Thank you Martin Luther.  I always like these sudden contrasts.

The last room held several paintings of Christ's life.  On this side are the dark moments such as his crown of thorns.  However the viewer can walk to the other side of the room to see paintings of the uplifting moments such as his baptism. 

 

Yay Stiftmelk!  I thoroughly enjoyed.