Danube River Cruise 2024: Austria

 

St Florian's Monastery

The architecture of St. Florian's Monastery blew me away, even though it is Baroque. Founded in the 9th century, the Augustinian Rule of Order has operated the monastery since the 11th century. 

I looked up a lot while visiting St. Florian's. The ceilings were magnificent:

The Exhibit Hall: The pegasus appears to be following you as you move across the room.

The Exhibit Hall

The Basilica

The Library boasts over 140,000 books

The Bruckner Organ is housed in the Basilica. This is the organ that Anton Bruckner (Austrian Composer) learned to play on. We had the privilege of listening to a short recital. I could feel the organ all throughout my body; it was so powerful.

Bruckner's tomb is directly under the organ loft

Bones of over 6000 people dating back to the 4th century. St. Florian's bones are believed to be included.

Anton Bruckner's guest room

Linz

I had lunch with some new friends at a restaurant that used to be a monastery. There were definite signs: a crucifix on the wall and an Epiphany blessing over the men's bathroom door:

After Mass in the Cathedral, we took a walking tour. Following World War II, the city was divided along the Danube, with the US controlling the old town/city center, and Russia controlling the other side. 

Planet Fountain. The lion heads and the coats of arms are the only original features from the fountain created in 1581

Marian and Holy Trinity Column

Instead of Stolpersteine, Austria has these monuments to those Holocaust victims. Looking like the buzzers in an apartment, each has the information as the Stolpersteine. The idea is that you ring the buzzer, but no one answers.

Amadeus Riva

Melk Abbey

First look at Melk Abbey from my cabin window

Pictures aren't allowed inside, so you'll just have to believe me when I say that this place was magnificent.

View from the Abbey

The ceiling of a portico that is before we entered the Abbey

I feel like I have to address this: We were told "no pictures" once inside, and it was extremely hard to not be a rebel and snap a few shots. Once we were in the church, some people in our group were taking pictures like crazy; they weren't even hiding the fact that they were taking pictures. It was so tempting, but I knew if I took one, I'd be the one carted off to the security office. That being said, I did manage to take a picture of a postcard in the gift shop without getting in trouble. In hindsight, I should have just bought it, but I didn't.

Apparently, the gardens are amazing, but I didn't have time to take them all in. I was just able to scratch the surface.

Dürnstein

Out of the places we stopped in Austria, this is the place I'd love to come back to and hang out. Sailing into the Wachau area, the scenery was beautiful. This was the first day we sailed during the day, so we were able to see where we were going.

Ruins of the Hinterhaus Castle; Richard the Lionhearted was held here in 1192

Wine Vineyards

St. Michael, Wachau Region of Austria

Dürnstein Abbey

Once we were in port, we made our way toward the Abbey. The walk was just lovely, and the surprise at the end was spectacular.

High water mark showing how high the Danube flooded over the years

A wedding! Someone made the comment that he looked like Capt. Von Trapp!

It took some digging, but I found out that these instruments are called parforcehorns

Our guide told us about a dessert called Mohnzelten: potato dough with a poppyseed filling. I found some and bought a couple of them. But I waited until I was back home in the States to try it. It was interesting; it definitely would have been better if it had been eaten when it was still fresh, and with some coffee.

Mohnzelten

Apricots are a huge crop every year, with everything being made from them. Unfortunately, we weren't there for apricot season, so we didn't get to fully take it in.

View of Krems, Austria, as we sailed down the Danube

Kahlenberg

This hill overlooking Vienna was the site of a battle in 1683. During the Second Ottoman Siege, Jan III Sobieski (King of Poland) saved Vienna. Since this was a pilgrimage, the tour focused on the Polish National Shrine on Kahlenberg, also known as St. Joseph's Church. It was very foggy when we reached the top of the hill, so we didn't get to witness the view that we would have seen on a different day. 

St. Joseph's Church in the fog

Monument to the Poles who were prisoners of Nazi Concentration Camps during WWII

The Wish Well

Vienna

I've always heard wonderful things about Vienna. I went on a walking tour but didn't learn anything major. The architecture was stupendous, and it was very cool to see the Lipizzaner horses in their stalls.

Albertinaplatz

Statue of Franz Josef I and "Sisi"

Hofburgkapelle: Chapel that served the Habsburg Dynasty

Lippizaner Horses: The Habsburg Empire is credited with developing this breed in the 1500's.

The Plague Monument: Built in 1679 to ward off the plague; it was originally made out of wood

I popped into St. Stephen's Cathedral, which was breathtaking:

Our guide pointed out the Sacher Hotel, famous for its tortes. There are 2 doors leading to the cafe; she told us which one to go in that seemed to have the shorter line. So, a new friend and I headed there when we had free time. The wait wasn't too long (maybe 15 minutes at that time of day); we spent the time chatting with each other and some lovely people from England. We were led upstairs to our table. It was definitely worth the wait.

The highlight of Vienna was definitely the visit to Schönbrunn Palace, the Habsburgs' summer palace. 

Maria Theresia and family

Great Gallery

Round Chinese Cabinet

Hall of Ceremonies

Vieux Laque Room

Original floor

The Porcelain Room, Maria Theresia's office. Only the heater and the chandelier are porcelain.

As beautiful as it was, nothing could top the end of the evening. We were treated to a private concert in the ballroom. The music was by Austrian composers and included a couple of opera singers.

I could not believe that I was sitting in the ballroom of the palace where Maria Theresia planned and held balls, listening to this beautiful music. I sat and closed my eyes, imagining the grand balls that had taken place on that very same spot where I was sitting. I could feel Robert smiling!

Just as we were making our way to the exit, one of our tour guides came rushing towards me and said he had something to show me. We spoke at dinner about my family coming from the Silesia Region. He found this in a fresco on the ceiling of the ballroom:

That was just about the most perfect night I have had in a very long time. I had to say goodbye to Austria, with the thought in my mind to definitely come back to this lovely country.