Melk

Melk (mĕlk), town (1991 pop. 3,601), Lower Austria province, N central Austria, on the Danube River. A noted tourist spot, it was one of the earliest residences of the Austrian rulers. The large Benedictine abbey there, founded in 1089, has a library whose holdings include about 2,000 old manuscripts and 80,000 volumes. The abbey was completely rebuilt by the architect J. Prandtauer in the 18th cent. and is a splendid example of the baroque style. The area is well-known for its wines.

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Melk

a town in N Austria, on the River Danube: noted for its baroque Benedictine abbey. Pop.: 5222 (2001)

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Melk 

a city in Lower Austria on the right bank of the Danube. Population, 4,600 (1968).

Melk was founded on the site of the Roman fortress of Nomare. The castle of the Austrian Babenburg princes was built there in 976, and a monastery was founded in 985. A settlement near the monastery, built according to a regular plan, was begun in the 13th century. On a cliff overlooking the Danube stands the baroque Benedictine Abbey of Melk (1702-36; church designed by the architects J. Prandtauer and J. Munggenast). The abbey treasury contains many works of art.

REFERENCE

Schier, W. Das Benediktinerstift Melk an der Donau. Augsburg, 1928.