Melk Abbey Audio Guide
Explore Melk Abbey with Stanza's GPS-triggered offline audio guide.
About the Tour
Melk Abbey is a Benedictine monastery overlooking the town of Melk on the Danube river in Lower Austria. It is one of the world's most famous monastic sites.
What you will hear
The Imperial Wing and Abbey Museum
This area covers the royal history of the abbey. It includes the mandatory Imperial Staircase, the verified portrait of Maria Theresa, the 'Melker Kreuz' reliquary POI, and the curious 'reusable coffin' from the Josephinian reforms.
The Imperial Staircase
Designed for the visits of the Holy Roman Emperor, the Imperial Staircase features rare Kaiserstein columns and statues representing the imperial virtues of Constancy and Bravery.
The Reusable Coffin
A curious artifact of the 1780s, this reusable coffin with a trap-door bottom reflects the radical, wood-saving burial reforms of Emperor Joseph II.
The Marble Hall and Altane
Consolidating the secular reception hall and the outdoor terrace. The fresco is a 'Must-See' architectural highlight, and the terrace provides the essential panoramic connection between the two wings.
The Altane Terrace
The Altane Terrace provides a stunning panoramic view of the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley and the Danube River, physically bridging the abbey's secular and spiritual halls.
Triumph of Reason Fresco
The ceiling of the Marble Hall features the 'Triumph of Reason' fresco, where Pallas Athena symbolizes the Habsburg dynasty’s role in bringing enlightenment to the world.
The High Altar and Saint Coloman
Covering the spiritual focus of the church, including the high altar depicting the parting of Peter and Paul, and the side altar containing the relics of Saint Coloman.
The High Altar
The High Altar depicts the dramatic final farewell between the apostles Peter and Paul, topped by a massive golden crown representing the eternal 'Crown of Life.'
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