Stift Melk

About the museum

The Babenbergs already maintained a community of canons in their castle above the Danube; the patron saint of the region, Koloman, and several margraves were buried here. Margrave Leopold II converted the castle into a monastery and brought in Benedictines from Lambach. Since 21 March 1089, monks have lived in Melk without interruption according to the Rule of St Benedict.

In the 15th century Melk became the starting point of a monastic reform that had an impact far beyond Austria; a large part of the Melk manuscripts date from this period. The decline during the Reformation was followed by a new heyday in the 17th century.

Abbot Berthold Dietmayr, in office from 1700, had the complex completely rebuilt together with the master builder Jakob Prandtauer. Artists such as Johann Michael Rottmayr, Paul Troger and Antonio Beduzzi furnished the church, Marble Hall and library. A fire damaged parts of the monastery in 1738; Dietmayr's successors completed the construction. The abbey is regarded as one of the most unified Baroque ensembles north of the Alps and is part of the Wachau World Heritage Site.

Today the community runs an extensive visitor programme alongside pastoral care and the abbey school. In the former Imperial Rooms, the Abbey Museum shows the history and present of the monastery, while the North Bastion offers exhibitions and a viewing terrace. The abbey library with around 130,000 volumes is being restored from 2026 to 2032 but remains open during this time.

Highlights

• Abbey church, a major work of Austrian High Baroque
• Abbey library with around 130,000 volumes, 1,800 manuscripts and 750 incunabula
• Marble Hall and balcony with views over the town and the Danube valley
• Abbey Museum "From Yesterday to Today" in the former Imperial Rooms with the Melk Altarpiece of 1502
• Abbey park with Baroque garden pavilion (April–October)
• North Bastion with viewing terrace and Wachau Lab

Permanent exhibitions

• Vom Gestern ins Heute – Abbey museum in the former Imperial Rooms: rooms on the Benedictine order, the Babenbergs, the Baroque era and everyday monastery life, with the Melk Altarpiece by Jörg Breu and a model of the complex.
• Stiftsbibliothek – Two Baroque state halls with ceiling frescoes and historic holdings; until the end of 2027 they are being restored section by section but remain accessible.

Founded

1089

Operated by

Benediktinerstift Melk

Director

Abt Ludwig Wenzl OSB

Admission & discounts

Prices valid from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027; admission includes the abbey tour with church, North Bastion and special exhibitions as well as the abbey park from April to October. Tickets only at the ticket desk in the first courtyard. One-time free admission with the NÖ-Card; discounted train-ship-abbey tickets via ÖBB Rail Tours (Wachau ticket).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The visit is largely accessible; some areas can only be reached accompanied by staff, so please speak to the ticket desk. Lift from car park level, two wheelchairs for loan (reserve beforehand on +43 2752 555 232). The garden pavilion and mineral collection are not wheelchair accessible, and the gravel paths in the park are partly difficult. Wheelchair-accessible toilets at the Kaiserstiege, in the Torwartlhof and at the abbey restaurant.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The abbey offers its own children's tours and tours for primary school classes. Children under 14 may only enter the exhibition rooms accompanied by adults; pushchairs are allowed.

Getting there & parking

Satnav address: Stiftsstraße, 3390 Melk; approach via the A1, follow the signs for "Stift Melk". Bicycle racks with lockers near the abbey gate.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Abbey restaurant in the former orangery with terrace; self-service café in the Baroque garden pavilion (April–October). Monastery shop in the North Bastion. Lockers in the first courtyard.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 350 guests.

Available on request for events, seminars and conferences: Kolomanisaal (approx. 350 seats), Dietmayrsaal (approx. 70), conference rooms in the guesthouse as well as the small and large Baroque cellar. Church weddings in the abbey church via the church rector's office.

Plan your visit