Paul Smit  Mick Palarczyk | Features, Photos and TextTwo faces, one philosophy |
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![Smit & Palarczyk > [AUSTRIA.NIEDER 03587]
'Stift Melk, the Power of Baroque.'
The monks themselves criticised the unchristian wallowing in architectural exubarance of their new monastery. But it had to be, to impress in face of Protestantism, that even in Melk had the upper hand in those days. Now, centuries later, the monastery is still a must: 300.000 tourists a year visit Austria's largest baroque structure. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/138806342_mj7cT-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [AUSTRIA.NIEDER 03587]
'Stift Melk, the Power of Baroque.'
The monks themselves criticised the unchristian wallowing in architectural exubarance of their new monastery. But it had to be, to impress in face of Protestantism, that even in Melk had the upper hand in those days. Now, centuries later, the monastery is still a must: 300.000 tourists a year visit Austria's largest baroque structure. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [AUSTRIA.OBER 04239]
'Library of Stift St. Florian.'
The monks of the Augustine St. Florian monastery do not belong to a mendicant order; it's wealth whereever you look, like in this sumptuous baroque library. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/51379656_VgBpC-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [AUSTRIA.OBER 04239]
'Library of Stift St. Florian.'
The monks of the Augustine St. Florian monastery do not belong to a mendicant order; it's wealth whereever you look, like in this sumptuous baroque library. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [AUSTRIA.OBER 04179]
'Stift Engelszell at the Danube.'
At Austria's only Trappist monastery the monks don't brew beer but stronger stuff, like a nice, very creamy advocaat. After a visit to the church you indeed need a nip; quite shocking, these skeletons of saints in their gilded glass coffins. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/50101023_mkdTf-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [AUSTRIA.OBER 04179]
'Stift Engelszell at the Danube.'
At Austria's only Trappist monastery the monks don't brew beer but stronger stuff, like a nice, very creamy advocaat. After a visit to the church you indeed need a nip; quite shocking, these skeletons of saints in their gilded glass coffins. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [AUSTRIA.NIEDER 03594]
'Schönbühel castle.'
The Wachau is seen by many as the most beautiful part of the Danube. Indeed, it's hard to find a more romantic landscape between source and Black Sea. It's on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The western part, from Melk to Spitz, is known for its steep, wooded slopes, sprinkled with monasteries and castles, like the Schönbühel castle. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/50100976_kW5L3-Ti-1.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [AUSTRIA.NIEDER 03594]
'Schönbühel castle.'
The Wachau is seen by many as the most beautiful part of the Danube. Indeed, it's hard to find a more romantic landscape between source and Black Sea. It's on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The western part, from Melk to Spitz, is known for its steep, wooded slopes, sprinkled with monasteries and castles, like the Schönbühel castle. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [AUSTRIA.NIEDER 03668]
'Ugly?'
Baroque, the style that elsewhere along the Danube can be described as elegant and playful, seems to have lost all its lightheartedness at the Göttweig monastery. The only thing that counts is to impress. Gottfried Bessel, the 50th abbot, had tight connections to the imperor. He dreamed about a Austrian Escorial on his hilltop, overlooking the Danube and Krems in the distance. After a fire in 1718, which, so is told, he lit himself, there was space for his ambitions. A huge, square pleasure palace was erected. The gold foil blinds your eyes in the abbey church, but more then only sumptuous everything looks heavy and ponderous. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/50100940_tUVCp-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [AUSTRIA.NIEDER 03668]
'Ugly?'
Baroque, the style that elsewhere along the Danube can be described as elegant and playful, seems to have lost all its lightheartedness at the Göttweig monastery. The only thing that counts is to impress. Gottfried Bessel, the 50th abbot, had tight connections to the imperor. He dreamed about a Austrian Escorial on his hilltop, overlooking the Danube and Krems in the distance. After a fire in 1718, which, so is told, he lit himself, there was space for his ambitions. A huge, square pleasure palace was erected. The gold foil blinds your eyes in the abbey church, but more then only sumptuous everything looks heavy and ponderous. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [AUSTRIA.NIEDER 03589]
'Stift Melk, the Power of Baroque.'
The monks themselves criticised the unchristian wallowing in architectural exubarance of their new monastery. But it had to be, to impress in face of Protestantism, that even in Melk had the upper hand in those days. Now, centuries later, the monastery is still a must: 300.000 tourists a year visit Austria's largest baroque structure. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/50100911_QzNcY-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [AUSTRIA.NIEDER 03589]
'Stift Melk, the Power of Baroque.'
The monks themselves criticised the unchristian wallowing in architectural exubarance of their new monastery. But it had to be, to impress in face of Protestantism, that even in Melk had the upper hand in those days. Now, centuries later, the monastery is still a must: 300.000 tourists a year visit Austria's largest baroque structure. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [AUSTRIA.OBER 04233]
'Augustine Chorherr in St. Florian.'
Gernot Grammer is one of the Augustine Chorherren of the St. Florian monastery. The monks do not really belong to a mendicant order; it's wealth whereever you look, like in this sumptuous staircase. During a guided tour you'll see marmor of all colours and a baroque library without any straight line. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/50100792_trAkW-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [AUSTRIA.OBER 04233]
'Augustine Chorherr in St. Florian.'
Gernot Grammer is one of the Augustine Chorherren of the St. Florian monastery. The monks do not really belong to a mendicant order; it's wealth whereever you look, like in this sumptuous staircase. During a guided tour you'll see marmor of all colours and a baroque library without any straight line. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [ROMANIA.MOLDAVIA 23.914] Moldovita Monastery. The Moldovita Monastery was founded in 1532 and the frescoes on its church were done in 1537 by Toma of Suceava. Photo Mick Palarczyk.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/10282572_5q3gz-Ti-1.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [ROMANIA.MOLDAVIA 23.914] Moldovita Monastery. The Moldovita Monastery was founded in 1532 and the frescoes on its church were done in 1537 by Toma of Suceava. Photo Mick Palarczyk.")
Klosterneuburg, on the western outskirts of Wien (Vienna), is known for its monastery (Stift Klosterneuburg). The church exterior is romanesque and gothic, but the towers have been redesigned in neo-gothic style around 1880. Photo Paul Smit.
Klosterneuburg, on the western outskirts of Wien (Vienna), is known for its monastery (Stift Klosterneuburg). The church exterior is romanesque and gothic, but the towers have been redesigned in neo-gothic style around 1880. Photo Paul Smit.
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