When the time comes, I hope my stairway to heaven is at least a spiral staircase. I do realize that staircase goes up as well as down, and nothing in this life or the hereafter is a given, so I’m going to continue to think positive thoughts and keep my nose clean. Tissues help tremendously.
Why, you ask, a spiral staircase? Okay, maybe you didn’t ask, but I’m going to tell you, now that I have your attention. I promised you one more day of Melk Abbey, Austria’s crème de la crème when it comes to Baroque architecture. And speaking of crème de la crème, the abbey’s spiral staircase was like icing on this beautiful piece of medieval history; it was Fibonacci at his
finest; Archimedes without restraint; Led Zepplin with a hit song to beat the band.
Why, you ask, a spiral staircase? Okay, maybe you didn’t ask, but I’m going to tell you, now that I have your attention. I promised you one more day of Melk Abbey, Austria’s crème de la crème when it comes to Baroque architecture. And speaking of crème de la crème, the abbey’s spiral staircase was like icing on this beautiful piece of medieval history; it was Fibonacci at his
finest; Archimedes without restraint; Led Zepplin with a hit song to beat the band.
Much of my life has exhibited a similar spiral motion.
What did I tell you? Isn’t this staircase amazing?
And by the way, here’s where I’m going to keep my nose clean. It makes sleeping at night so much easier. I didn’t take that picture. David Monniaux did. I have his permission (via the internet) to use his image. Thanks David, for coming through in a pinch.
Here’s my image of Melk Abbey’s spiral staircase from the top of the stairs; not quite as impressive.
And by the way, here’s where I’m going to keep my nose clean. It makes sleeping at night so much easier. I didn’t take that picture. David Monniaux did. I have his permission (via the internet) to use his image. Thanks David, for coming through in a pinch.
Here’s my image of Melk Abbey’s spiral staircase from the top of the stairs; not quite as impressive.
To come full circle is to truly understand life.
And yet I still remember being awestruck by this staircase. Of course I was awestruck by most of Melk Abbey:
the Baroque architecture;
the Baroque architecture;
If I didn't already believe in angels, the Baroque architecture would have sealed the deal.
the long, intriguing hallways;
This is my life; blessedly, a long journey, full of many passages and doorways.
the rare and valuable artifacts;
Many of the artifacts date back 500 years or more.
the beautiful library with its immense collection of historical manuscripts;
The spiral staircase allows access to the top floor of the library.
the immense Marble Hall flooded with light from massive floor to ceiling windows;
The views of the city of Melk from 3 of the 4 walls of windows in the Marble Hall were amazing.
the exquisite and colorful frescos;
The vibrant colors of Paul Troger's beautiful fresco are astounding given it was painted in 1731.
the view from the balcony, the same balcony Napoleon undoubtedly used during his stay in Melk while he was preoccupied with the war that bears his same name.
Looking west from the balcony of Melk Abbey, the Danube River is visible.
It was all magnificent; but there is no doubt the highlight of Melk Abbey is the Stiftskirche (the Abbey church). Inside and out, the ediface is astonishing.
The two massive wings of Melk Abbey project around from the chapel.
Architect Jakob Prandtauer shined with this piece of work.
Nowhere is the abbey's theme, 'so that God is glorified in everything' more evident than in the chapel.
The pictures hardly do justice in conveying the grandeur and splendor of this house of worship. The glittering array of columns and statues can only be described as stunning. I had to sit for a moment to absorb it all. The infusion of light from the immense number of windows simply highlighted the beauty and wonder of this holy place.
Italian architect Antonio Beduzzi gets most of the credit for the design of the chapel's interior.
The alters and paintings up and down the sides of the church paid homage to catacomb saints
The alter dedicated to St Coloman includes a sarcophagus with the skeletal remains of the saint.
and patron saints, including St. Benedict,
The death of St. Benedict depicted with his fellow brothers.
St. Michael, St. Coloman and St. John the Baptist.
Johann Michael Rottmayr's 1727 rendition of Jesus' baptism at the hands of John the Baptist.
I am still touched by the deep spirituality of Austria's Melk Abbey. It was the pinnacle of my European visit, the closest thing I've experienced yet to that stairway to heaven.
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