Located on the banks of the lovely Danube River, Melk is an attractive little town in northern Austria. The town’s main tourist attractions are the impressive eleventh-century Melk Abbey, a vast monastery built high above the town, and the renaissance-era Schallaburg Castle, featuring beautifully landscaped gardens and hosting regular interesting cultural exhibitions. Other attractions include the Abbey Church, with gold-adorned domes; the library, housing medieval manuscripts; and the Marmorsaal, a baroque hall with a spectacular ceiling fresco and red marble walls. Visitors can explore all these architectural wonders as well as Artstetten Castle, Burgruine Hohenegg Castle, and Leiben Castle. Additionally, the Jauerling-Wachau Nature Park provides wonderful opportunities for hiking, picnicking and climbing.