Room 3

The Ups and Downs of History

Room 3 with a view of rooms 1 and 2Gothic chalice made of Danubian gold

In room 3 the ups and downs of history are shown

The monastery of Melk was founded in the time of the Conflict of Investitures and experienced a time of great prosperity after the Concordat of Worms (1122). With the decline of the papacy the monastery’s fortunes also declined.

The Council of Constance (1414-1418) brought a reform for Austria’s monasteries, which began in Melk: the Melk Reform (15th century). A return to a strict adherence to the Rule of St. Benedict through emphasis on ascetic and discipline was the goal. 

 In the 16th century the Reformation also affected Austria and its monasteries, which were on the verge of being closed. Using the Religious Peace of Augsburg (1555), the Habsburgers called for the Counterreformation. Melk was soon once again an exemplary model of monastic discipline. The external expression of this upswing in Melk was the Baroque reconstruction of the monastery (1701-1736).