Recent stewardship news on this destination:

[Nothing listed?  Please comment with a current news link]

GRADE: A-  Why this grade? Representative panelist comments from the National Geographic stewardship surveys:

“Well-renovated. A proud monastery in a beautiful landscape. Well-organized guided tours. Good parking facilities.”

“The Benedictine Abbey is very impressively maintained both in the extensive well-manicured grounds and the variety of interior rooms open to the public. Our guided tour was extremely informative and lively; you really step back in time. Afterward, we walked downhill through very narrow medieval alleys and staircases into the town, which seemed somewhat touristy along the main street, though well maintained.”

“Melk Abbey and the Wachau are not one entity. While the Abbey is a monument, the Wachau is a cultural landscape related to the wine industry.”

“Each village and town seems to try to outdo the others in promoting local heritage while maintaining cultural integrity. The abbey at Melk is well managed and never seems crowded. Tourist zones are low-key and commercial establishments do not intrude on the visitor’s experiences.”

Your Rating

Is this grade fair and up to date? If yes, say so. If no, what do you recommend, and why? Add a comment, considering the destination’s condition in terms of environment, historic preservation, aesthetics, tourism management, cultural and social impacts, and overall trend.