Stift Melk - Melk Abbey

 Have you ever heard of the Stift Melk?
I got there quite accidentally, just wanting to see some tourist stuff while being in Austria. I was living in a little city winery-house somewhere in the country. I loved the place, and the hosts, but that's a different thing :)
The Benedictine abbey lays on a hill. The road leads through an old town, so you can buy lots of souvenins, and interesting stuff (like poppy liquor, or music boxes!) on the way, or take a break from walking in one of the crowdy, but lovely cafes.

And here we are! The abbey's yard. Even though it's hard to hide from the sun, you should come here during the sunny, and hot day to see the beauty of the place. It feels like being in some exotic country - the bright colors, tha palm trees near the entrance, and the blue sky are a perfect combination here.

If you'll get tired of the sun (yes, you will soon), just walk into the chapel, and the real magic starts (looks uncomparably better when you are there, but just try to imagine that):

 I'm not an architecture fan. Usually I just watch it for a few minutes and go.
It was totally different here...
First of all, the baroque/rococo (especially the rococo time) style is my favorite. The more decorations, the better, but it must be perfectly planned to look good.
So I came into the church, and... My jaw hanged open.

 Does it need any comment?

I was just standing there, making no sound. It was perfect.
I've seen many beautiful places before. Some of them were the "Omg!!!" type, but this one was just to stand there in silence and watch with no blinking.
I had to force myself to go, because my parents were loosing their patience. It was really hard for me, but since Austria is not that faraway from my country, I'm hoping to get back there soon.

And back to the story - I went to the most awesome stairs I've ever seen :)

 There was also a huge library with old munuscripts, and paintings on the ceiling, but I wasn't allowed to take photos there. It wouldn't be a huge crime, but I felt in love with the place, and decided to stick to its rules :)

Then there was a park. A perfectly kept one. It was a bit too bright there, but I hid between the brushes, and watched the little sculptures standing everywhere.

Would it be an ovestatement if I said, that it's just the Heaven on Earth? :)