Dresden

West of Krems, reached by boat or rail, lies picturesque Durnstein Ascend to the Kuenringerburg i.s for a sweeping view of the river. This castle is where Richard the Lionheart of England was imprisoned in 1192, In the village visit the parish church, a baroque structure that has been meticulously restored. Durnstein offers cheap accommodation, quaint restaurants and enjoyable wine taverns. Find out more from the tourist office (ph: 200) or the Rathaus (Ph: 219).

MELK (Ph: 027529; Pop-6500) Lying in the lee of its imposing monastery. fortress, Melk is an essential stop on the Wachau stretch.

Orientation & Information

The train station is 300m from the town centre. Walk straight ahead down Bahnhof strasse to get to the post office (Postamt 3390), where money exchange is available to 5 pm on weekdays and 10 am on Saturday. Turn right for the HI hostel or carry straight on, taking the Balingasse path, for the central Rathausplatz.

Turn right for the tourist office (Ph: 23 0732, 9 melk@smaragd.at) at Babenbergerstrasse 1. It's closed from November to March; otherwise it's open 9 am to noon and 2 to 6 prn weekdays, 10 am to 2 pm Saturday. in summer, hours are 9 am to 7 pin Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm Sunday.

Things to See & Do

Stift Melk, the Benedictine Abbey, dominates the town from the hill and offers excellent views. Regular guided tours explain its historical importance and are well worth taking.

The huge monastery church is baroque gone mad, with endless prancing angels and gold twirls but it's very impressive nonetheless. The fine library and the mirror room both have an extra tier painted on the ceiling to give the illusion of greater height. The ceilings are slightly curved to aid the effect.

It is open 9 am to 5 pm from the Saturday before Palm Sunday to All Saints' Day, except between May and September when it closes at 6 pro. Entry costs AS70 (students aged up to 27 years AS35), and the guided tour is AS20 extra (phone ahead to make sure of a tour in English). During winter, the monastery can only be visited by guided tour (Ir 555 232 for information).

There are other interesting sights around town the free tourist office map highlights historic buildings. Schloss Schallaburg, 5km south of Melk (AS30 by infrequent bus), is a 16th century Renaissance palace which has marvellous teffacotta arches and hosts prestigious exhibitions. It's open from late April to late October and costs AS90 (students AS40; combination ticket with Stift Melk available ).