Melk Abbey Gardens
Segment: Melk Abbey Gardens
Episode: 6
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane
TX Date: 28th March 2020
The Austrian town of Melk is home to the beautiful Melk Abbey Gardens.
- Situated alongside the Danube River, Melk Abbey’s origins date all the way back to the year of 976. It has survived a devastating fire that badly damaged it, and was rebuilt in the 18th century with a beautiful garden/park being added to the grounds.
- Originally a place of relaxation for the monks populating the Abbey, the park was opened to the public in 2000, giving visitors the chance to explore the spacious gardens.
- The terraced park area is full of carefully tended shrubs, with whimsical sculptures adorning the grass parterres. Autumn in Europe is stunning – the colour of the trees is beautiful.
- The garden is nearly 300 years old, and was constructed by hand. In 1800, it was turned from a Baroque-style garden to a romantic park, which lasted until WW2.
- After WW2, the monastery had no money to properly restore the park. In 1996, a program was started to return the garden to its former glory.
- The magnificent pavilion features a ceiling that depicts most of the continents.
- The Abbey features beautiful rose gardens that can be found flanking the pavilion. They include some popular rose varieties, including Olde Worlde and David Austin roses.
- There are paths running through the woods with small clearings opening up, showing off beautiful vistas that invite a moment of quiet contemplation. There are a number of features along the path, including a tranquil pool, a beautiful gazebo and numerous sculptures.
- Offering stunning views of both the Danube River, as well the quaint town of Melk below, the Melk Abbey Gardens are a great highlight of the journey through Europe.
