25 Sep 2021, Saturday
25 Sep 2021, Saturday
Prioritized Daily Tasks
Krems, Day 7
8:45 AM - Viking boat from Linz to Krems through Wachau Valley
12:15 PM - 3 PM - Gottweig Excursion/Tour
4:15 PM - 6:00 PM Walking tour of Krems old town (Gelato Ice Cream)
7 PM - Austrian and Bavaria authentic dinner
9 PM - walk and jog on track upper deck on Viking River Boat
Much of the money to build and rebuild the country of Austria came from the ransom England paid for the release of King Richard the Lion Heart
Tour of Krems Krems Old Town
Authentic and Bavaria dinner on our cruise boat
Today, Day 7, Debbie wrote: On the top of a narrow ridge high above the Danube River in the beautiful Wachau Valley, the ruins of Aggstein Castle, known as the home of the Pirates of the Danube, boldly dominate the landscape. These ruins originate from the medieval castle which was built in the 12th century and destroyed at least three times in history.
We had a beautiful day today-foggy at first as we sailed through the Wachau Valley-a stretch of the Danube between Krems and Melk, is possibly the loveliest found along the entire length of this majestic river. Both banks are dotted with ruined castles and medieval towns and lined with terraced vineyards. The agricultural use of the land in the Wachau vividly illustrates a basically medieval landscape which has evolved organically and harmoniously over time. As the sun came through, the fog lifted and we saw agricultural cultivation traced back to approximately 800 AD. Apricot orchards and grape vineyards dot the mountainsides. The small village homes and buildings are made of wood and then stucco.
We soon arrived in Krems and after lunch, we took a bus to the Gottweig Abbey. When we arrived we watched a movie about the Abbey. We were given apricot nectar made from the apricot orchards around the grounds. We got a tour of the grounds and the guest house and cathedral. The Abbey is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Mother Mary. It is painted blue, the color for Mary, in some decor and painted walls. It was under the order of St. Benedict, Patron Saint of Europe. He had 74 church rules and the monks and priests followed those rules. They serve the people in schools, hospitals, farming, in prison, and with tourism.
Although Gottweig Abbey boasts no shortage of splendor, its most impressive room might be the relatively small library, filled to the ceiling with 130,000 volumes. The books are all bound in pig's skin. We visited the cathedral with its tall carved pews and beautiful vestibule downed with gold leaf. The walls look like marble but are just walls painted to look like marble. There is an underground crypt that is used today as a place of reflection. The dead bodies of the monks and priests have been moved to another burial site.
Constructed in the 11th century, the abbey was nearly demolished by fire in 1580 and the plague killed all the monks in 1556-64. Approximately 40 monks currently live here among the monastery's 26 acres of vineyards. Wine has been produced by the abbey continuously since 1083. In 1718, the monastery burned down again; its subsequent reconstruction was overseen by Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt, the emperor's architect. Among the few original structures that remain are parts of the Erentrudis Chapel, constructed in 1072. Weddings are still performed in this little chapel.
When Hitler came during the war he wanted to turn the abbey into a military school and there were over 3,000 soldiers here. They did not stay long, because there was no water and not enough food for that many people.
The guest house has been used by many presidents, emperors, and kings, and queens. We took a tour of the guest house. One room is all blue, another green, but the floors are wood with inlaid wood. The pictures or wallpaper on the walls are made of cloth and painted the picture or design wanted. The steps to the rooms upstairs are small in height and very wide. The painted mural on the ceiling was painted in 45 days in 1740. The figures represent the new golden era of poetry, music, astronomy, sculpture, and architecture. Some figures are scaring off the dark past of wars and plagues. There is a recorder that is keeping a journal of the events. There are four statues of the seasons and 12 vases for the months. These are in and on the staircase.
We enjoyed our stay for about 3 hours and then came back to the ship and went on a little self-generated tour of the Old Town of Krem-Stein. The new part of the shopping district is mixed into the Old Town and the shops are in some of the old buildings. We walked down the cobblestone plaza and found some chips for Len and some chocolates for the grandchildren. This city on the Danube traded in salt and wine.
Tonight we have a special treat-a typical Austrian dinner with 12 different desserts and meats! Roll out the barrel! We'll have a barrel of fun! After tonight we might have to roll ourselves back to our stateroom!!! ;).
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