The famous Benedictine abbey of Melk, one of Europe´s most splendid example of Baroque architecture, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Beyond the mighty masterpiece of Baroque art, a not less worthy cultural-historical jewel presents itself. Melk, which was first mentioned as "Medilica" in a document in the year 831, received its town charter more than 100 years ago. This lovely town is like a picture book come alive! The town center is quite small, however you still find such a great variety of architectural gems like in hardly any other town of Europe, enabling the visitor to travel throughout the centuries of its history.