Stairway to Heaven~

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I found the stairway to heaven!

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It is in Melk Abbey in lower Austria.

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The Benedictine Abbey was founded in the 12th century and is the oldest continuously operating school in Austria.
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900 lucky co-educational pupils attend school here.
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The Abbey over looks the The Danube River,
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and the medieval town of Melk which was the center of intellectual life in Austria in the middle ages.

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It is off the beaten tourist path in November and is a wonderful place to explore.

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Melk is in the Wachau Valley section of The Danube River which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Cheers to you from the stunning Wachau Valley~

326 thoughts on “Stairway to Heaven~

  1. That stairway is so wonderful, but just looking at it makes me dizzy! Is the Abbey still owned/run by the Benedictines? And who ever thought of crocheting a bike! You have such a good eye for selection and composition, Cindy, as well as the photography itself.

  2. It is obvious that a good eye is operating a good camera with tripod when photographing such gorgeous subjects. What camera do you use? I used to buy Linhof’s publication, “Gross Bild”, I think was the name, with pictures of similar subjects taken with transparencies 4 X 5 and up. Your pictures bring those memories back.

  3. Oh, you certainly have found the stairway to heaven Cindy! And I see that it’s one that is paved with golden beauty! Those ceilings! There aren’t any places like that out here, is there? And to offset all that elegance, that wild, wacky bike! I just love this eclectic collection of images. Thank you Cindy! ~Lynn

      1. I agree with you and Prince Charles on this! I noticed in London they had these glass cube skyscrapers abutting the old city walls that were crumbling. I love to see it all preserved.

    1. Hah! You and me both. I listened to it again too……. Great minds listen to Led! 😉 “In my mind I have seen, rings of smoke through the trees, and the voices of those who stand listening.”

  4. Remarkable capture of the stairway to Heaven, wow! The abbey is fantastic. Love the photo of the town. Thank you, Cindy for the stroll on a rainy, cold morning here. 🙂

  5. You do know that’s where I come from right? Yes,the stairway to Heaven is in Austria and I remember it well. I went to a neighbor boarding school with Catholic nuns in a similar beautiful building.
    Vielen Dank fuer dieses wunderschoene post 🙂

    1. Oh you must have so many beautiful memories. I can’t imagine what it would be like to grow up in such a beautiful place surrounded by such history and art. You must miss it terribly. I saw the Christmas markets in Vienna, Bratislavia and Budapest and Wurzburg. Heaven for adults and children!

      1. I know Cindy, such a beautiful part of the world. I lived in Germany on two separate occasions and saw so much (not enough when you consider the size) but loved the scenery. Your photos are wonderful, thanks for sharing. 🙂

          1. I can imagine, mind you it is many years since I lived there. First time was in the late 1950s and then again in the late 1960s so I imagine much has changed, but the scenery must still be as gorgeous I am sure. 🙂

  6. Ever since seeing “The Sound of Music” as a kid, I’ve longed to visit Austria. Your photos only confirm that longing for me, Cindy. Thank you for sharing its beauty!!

  7. Exquisite and so artistic Cindy and you took the most amazing shots as well. I love love the bicycle too. So cute! You had the most amazing views of such a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing. 😀

      1. Definitely something I wouldn’t miss. The artist is definitely very creative. I would love to see what other work he/she has to offer. 😀

        You’re very welcome Cindy. ♥

  8. WordPress is hiccuping for me today: yours is the second blog that didn’t show up in my reader. Good thing I decided to come by just to check or I would have missed these stunning photos! The stairway is magnificent! I could spend all day staring at it. 😊

  9. Oh, if only the walls could talk – can you imagine all the remarkable conversations that were held on this “stairway to heaven.” I love traveling with you, my dear friend…

    1. You are the best travel companion Rebecca and yes, I can just imagine the conversations in the stairwell. The stairway connects the church to the library and rivals the library in Vienna. So amazing, filled with ancient books on philosophy, science, medicine and religion. I could live there!

        1. That works too, but be careful what you wish for, it so often does come true and not just in your marvelous fairytales. You never know where your life will be twenty years from now. You could be traveling the world…….and fufilling your travel longings.

      1. Lots of them, never all of them of course, but I am surprised about where my life is now. I would never ever have imagined this life 20 years ago when I was working full time and raising my children.

  10. A wonderful place, and indeed worth a visit. I’d like to do that tour again – I havent been there since I was sixteen…and that, was loooong ago. Marvellous shots.

      1. Haha – yes, thank you, I’ll be returning to them myself…seems to be the only snow we’ve had for two years! Sometimes (read always) our photos are important for the memory…

  11. Hubby’s side is 1/4 from Austria. But so long ago I couldn’t tell you were. They escaped oppression to the states.

    Beautiful photos. I never did get to learn how to do photos yet. I spent about three weeks in Kentucky with Hubby while he worked this summer. And well now we are nearing the the beginning of winter.

    That yarn-bombed bike was interesting. We’ve had a few trees done around here. I thought it was an American thing. Guess though that bike isn’t going anywhere…

    Love the stairs! Almost off to our second TG… Continue to explore where you are!
    Hugs, Jules

    1. Hi Jules wonderful to hear from you. Happy second TG to you and your family. Lucky you. We are home at The Holler now trying to recover from jet lag. We took three long flights from Budapest! Be well my friend~

      1. Just sitting uncomfortably can be very tiring. As well as waiting in all those lines to get on flights and finally getting out of the airport! 🙂

        Home from our mid-day meal – time for a nap!

  12. Gosh, these are amazing pictures. The intricate designs and architecture is very impressive. I also love that crocheted bike. What a fascinating place to visit. 🙂

  13. Beautifully majestic. I was away in Galveston and really missed everyone. It was a needed vacation provided by my daughter and her family. We enjoyed it tremendously. I found myself energized by the sunrises and sunsets and standing with angels as the life giving waters embraced the sea shore. Your pictures move my spirit in wonderful ways. Thanks for sharing Cindy!

  14. It definitely feels to be in heaven Cindy!
    All those Phots that you have posted; I felt as if I was going with you to the places.
    Serenity all over.
    It worth visiting the place, if one can’t, should visit your blog.
    I welcome you to read my Etheree -“The Shining Rock”
    Shiva

    1. Hi Pauline. Wonderful to hear from you. It would be incredible to study there even though I imagine it is rather strict. It looks like a Harry Potter school. Something out of a fantasy.

  15. Cindy, the Abbey, the staircase and the reflection of the castle-like building were gorgeous images. (I realize this holds a school from your description! Wow!) It must have been difficult to limit this post, as you would have been taking innumerable photos. This may be your favorite trip, as it is MY favorite “ride along” in your suitcase trip! 🙂

  16. Pingback: Sharing Some Love! | Random Ramblings; Myriad Musings

    1. I do hope you visit and spend some time in The Abbey. It will be one of those stay with you a lifetime memories. Truly celestial and utterly peaceful. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and be well Kev~

  17. **Embarrassing moment reminder** When I was a (stroppy?) teenager, I went to Melk with my parents. Wonderful. However after the visit my mother saw a display of postcards with the sign “Stift” (which I knew to mean Abbey / Monastery) and assuming it mean “Postcard”, asked if she caught buy “ein Stift”… RH

  18. I love the beautiful images and words in your blog.

    Christmas love
    spreads joyfully to
    friends, new and old, as
    natural as mountain streams
    flow under

    ice and snow
    still moving, to join.
    Harmony
    comes from sharing a
    round table. Buddha

    Mohammad,
    Jesus, Confucius,
    Abraham, Gandhi
    and Luther invite a pope
    to break bread

    under one God
    that all pray to here
    in Gwangju,
    there in Amsterdam,
    and Davao, where the

    hunt for food
    and water reverts to old
    ways, not the
    usual Christmas,
    but children scramble

    for goodies
    like coconuts, fruit, rare meat
    while we feast
    on turkey, baked so
    well, spring rolls folded

    and rolled by
    hands so delicate you can’t
    imagine
    what they’ve done. Merry
    Christmas everyone.

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