Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Aggstein
swing into view. This 12th-century hilltop castle was built by the Kuenringer family and now offers a
grand vista of the Danube.
About 27km from Melk some pretty cliffs rise up above the road. From Mautern it's a detour of about 6km to
Stift Göttweig
(
Click here
).
Maria Taferl & Artstetten
07413 / POP 850
Located off the river on the northern side of the Danube in the Waldviertel, the small
town of Maria Taferl is famous for its
Pfarr- und Wallfahrtskirche Maria Taferl
(Parish & Pilgrimage
Church;
www.basilika.at
;
Maria Taferl 1; 7am-8pm)
high above the Danube Valley. Created by
Jakob Prandtauer (of Melk fame), this baroque church has two onion domes and dark
dome-frescoes. Its altar is a complex array of figures in gold. You'll find lots of hotels
and B&Bs if you decide to stay in town, and some of the most spectacular views across
the Danube are provided by the village's location.
About 6km east of Maria Taferl and about the same distance off the Danube is
Artstetten
, where there's also a castle. This was created out of a 13th-century medieval
castle and has seen modifications over the past 700 years, including Renaissance fea-
tures. It gained fame and glory after passing into the hands of the Habsburgs in the early
19th century, winding up in the possession of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Inside is a
mu-
seum
(
www.schloss-artstetten.at
;
Artstetten 1; adult/child €8/5; 9am-5.30pm Apr-Oct)
devoted to the luck-
less heir, displaying photos and stories of his and his wife's time at the castle and their
fateful trip to Sarajevo where his murder kicked off WWI. Their tomb is in the church.
You'll probably need your own wheels to visit Maria Taferl and Artstetten as no trains
and very few buses go there.
Melk & Around
02752 / POP 5200
With its blockbuster abbey-fortress set high above the valley, Melk is a high point of any
visit to the Danube Valley. Separated from the river by a stretch of woodland, this pretty
town makes for an easy and rewarding day trip from Krems or even Vienna. Combine a
visit with nearby Renaissance Schloss Schallaburg, 6km south of town, and you have
yourself a day packed with architectural bliss.
