29 Aug – Benediktinerstift Göttweig Abbey at Krems

The day began with another scenic sailing with commentary through Austria’s Wachau river valley. More castles on hilltops and church steeples in waterfront towns.

 Of course, any time is the right time for photo bombing.

After lunch, Carol, Rob & I embarked on a God-and-grapes excursion to a Benedictine abbey and a local winery in and about Krems, Austria.

This is the view from the one side of the abbey hilltop. The Göttweig name comes from “little hill.” It is situated on the smallest of three as determined in the long ago times.

Note: only the clocks on the left tower is real. The funds dried up so that clocks on the right tower are trompe l’oeil. Like that old chestnut, they are only correct twice a day.

The church’s main aisle, the altar, a side altar sculpture and the church’s organ.

The abbey also contained an official residence for the ruling family if and when they chose to visit the complex. Of particular note was the grand staircase with its ceiling painting. Apparently, the emperor never did spend any time at the abbey. But the rooms were always ready and waiting.

 That is the patronage emperor as Apollo seated in the chariot at the center. He did not live to see his portrait. It was also unusual for a Greco-Roman theme to be used in a religious complex.
 Rob in his natural vacation pose.
 This is the view of the Wachau valley from the backside (derriere?) of the abbey.

After leaving the abbey, we motor coached to a local winery for an amusement park-inspired multi-media tour of the facility complete with smart aleck-y talking lights in a wine cellar the walls of which were covered with coins held in place by moss or fungus or some other gooey growth of nature. There was also a 4D cinema experience with really comfy seats. And the occasional blast of appropriately fragrant air (the 4th “D”) was a welcomed relief from the hot, humid atmosphere in the money-lined cellar. Throughout the tour, we were given wine tastings culminating in a final bread-and-wine pairing slash Q & A session before we were set loose in the gift shop! (SO Disney!)

I chose to return to the ship with Carol.  Rob explored some of the town…I think.