Restoration in the Melk Abbey: A cultural heritage will be secured for the future!

Restoration in the Melk Abbey: A cultural heritage will be secured for the future!

The Mostviertel, known for its impressive landscape, is also a treasury of culture and history, which is reflected in numerous churches and monasteries. Among these cultural jewels, the basilica stands out in Maria Taferl, which attracts around 300,000 pilgrims annually. The renovation of this pilgrimage took a proud 14 years and ended in 2018.

Especially in recent years, the Melk Abbey, another landmark of the region, has tackled large restoration projects. In 2022, the comprehensive work began in the pen, which are due to continue until 2032. The focus is on the abbey library, which houses an impressive collection of around 100,000 volumes, including 1,800 manuscripts and 750 incunabula - some even from the 9th century. According to Abbot Georg Wilfinger, around 10,000 library stocks have to be cleaned, cataloged and restored every year in order to protect them from mold and environmental influences in the long term. The total costs for these extensive restorations amount to around twelve million euros.

progress of the restoration work

This year the restoration in the Melk Abbey was extended to the third stage. The altan, the central access to the library, now receives a comprehensive renovation. In order to facilitate access to the numerous visitors who attract the pen annually - in 2022 - a makeshift bridge was even built. At a recent press conference, Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Abbot Georg Wilfinger and Erwin Hateseder, President of the "Ex Litteris Immortalitas" support association, were present and emphasized the importance of maintaining these cultural assets for future generations. Mikl-Leitner made it clear that every single person is responsible for this.

For 2024, an investment of 1.35 million euros is planned for the renovation, of which 325,000 euros, i.e. 25%, are made available by the state of Lower Austria. It is an immense challenge that those responsible have set themselves with a clear schedule of eleven years.

commitment and support

Abbot Georg Wilfinger expressed his thanks to everyone involved who contribute to the restoration, including the state and the support association. The support of the population, which is reflected in numerous donations, is particularly noteworthy. In 2023, more than 70,000 euros were collected in donations, with 65,000 euros from a generous donor alone.

The restoration work in Melk Abbey takes place in close cooperation with experienced specialists. In search of the best techniques and materials, a specialized team of restorers not only brings know-how, but also over 25 years of experience in the projects. This expertise is crucial in order to correctly evaluate the building history of the important sites and to preserve it professionally. The team also includes modern technologies in the restoration, so that the cultural treasures of the Mostviertel are preserved for future generations.

The comprehensive renovation work in the Melk Abbey are therefore not only a sign of the preservation of history, but also for the lively cultural life of the region. Because here it becomes visible how tradition and progress go hand in hand, whereby the commitment of the residents and the country acts as well as a bridge - as Abbot Georg Wilfinger aptly formulated.