melk

Melk may refer to several related uses in language and geography. In Dutch and Afrikaans, melk means milk, the dairy beverage produced by mammals and used as a food product and ingredient. The term appears in everyday language as well as in various dairy-related contexts.

In Austria, Melk is a town in Lower Austria on the left bank of the Danube, within the Wachau region. It serves as the administrative center of the district of Melk and is a popular destination for visitors traveling along the Danube and through the Wachau valley. The town’s most famous feature is Melk Abbey, a Benedictine monastery perched above the Danube and overlooking the town.

Melk Abbey, or Stift Melk, is one of the most influential monastic sites in the region. The abbey was founded in 1089 by Margrave Leopold II of Austria with Benedictine monks. It underwent a major Baroque reconstruction in the 18th century, led by architect Jakob Prandtauer and other artists, resulting in an expansive complex with richly decorated interiors and a renowned library. Today, the abbey remains an active monastery and a major cultural landmark, drawing international visitors. The Melk area is part of the Wachau cultural landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its architectural and agricultural heritage along the Danube.