Romantic Danube: Weltenberg Abbey and the Danube Narrows

Romantic Danube: Overview
Romantic Danube: Flying United from Chicago to Brussels
Romantic Danube: Brussels and continuing to Prague
Romantic Danube: Marriott Courtyard Prague
Romantic Danube: Exploring Prague
Romantic Danube: Boscolo, Autograph Collection
Romantic Danube: Prague to Erlangen
Romantic Danube: Viking Longships
Romantic Danube: Nuremberg, Germany
Romantic Danube: Weltenberg Abbey and the Danube Narrows

Monday morning we docked in the town of Regensburg, Germany and boarded motor coaches that would take us through the countryside, past the retirement home of Pope Benedict XVI, to a dock where we'd board a sightseeing boat that would take through the scenic Danube Narrows to Weltenburg Abbey.

The abbey brews a number of different types of beer and they were available to sample during the first part of our cruise.  Since I don't imbibe it seemed a bit early to me (it was about 10 AM or so) but lots of folks did not think it was too early!  There were non-alcoholic beverages available as well and we all happily munched on some soft pretzels too.


We were fine staying in the cabin for the first part of the tour as it was still fairly cool outside, especially in the shade.  But as the sun got higher in the sky we ventured out on deck to enjoy the scenery, which varied from rolling hills to sheer cliffs.

At last we rounded a bend and the abbey came into view.

Weltenberg Abbey

We docked and found our guides waiting for us.  As we walked into the abbey our guides filled us in a bit on the history of the abbey and then we stopped by this corner of the complex.

Check out the high water marks

As you may have noticed from our first glimpse of the abbey grounds, the complex is *right* on the water.  That means that when there is flooding, the abbey gets wet too.  If you notice, the markings on the corner of the building indicate the high water marks on various dates.  There are three marks that occurred in the 21st century, with the highest mark in August 2005 but have a look at the mark from March 31, 1845!  That's what, 16-17 feet?  The damage must have been devastating.

Just inside the cloister gates is the biergarten, though it wasn't yet open for the season.  I've seen photos on the internet where every table is filled and everyone looks to be having a grand time.  It seems like a lovely place to take a quick break.

The biergarten is very peaceful in October

Founded circa 620, this monastery is thought to be the oldest in Bavaria and it became affiliated with the Benedictines in the early 8th century.  In 1191 the first abbey church was consecrated and in the mid-15th century a number of the buildings underwent significant repair and renovation.

Today the highlight is the "new" abbey church which was built 1716-1739.  The exterior is baroque and blends in well with the other buildings but the inside is a wonder to behold.

The Church of St. George

This church is dedicated to St. George and behind the pulpit there is a magnificent sculpture of him slaying the dragon.

The lady in the lower left gave a detailed history of the
church itself to all the groups.

All the groups sat in the pews and the lady in the photo above told us all about this stunning place of worship.  There are carvings, gold work and giant paintings galore.

St. Benedict

Paul being struck blind

The ceiling is a wonder.

The ceiling has a fresco in the center with gold leaf all around

The Assam brothers were responsible for the church's construction and decoration.  One was a sculptor and the other a painter.  In the mural that wraps around the interior above the walls and below the ceiling, there are a number of cherubs, angels, holy men, etc. as well as the Assam brothers.  Each used his own medium to include his brother in the detail.  A sculpture of the painter leans out over the rim while just over the sculpture's right shoulder is a painting of the sculptor himself.  300 years later and they're still here!

The Assam brothers

While this building is fairly young in European terms, it's a little startling to realize it's older than America.

Our morning adventure complete, we returned to the Njord for lunch.