Melker Hof, Heritage building in Innere Stadt, Austria
Melker Hof is a large residential building with baroque and classical architecture, distinguished by four inner courtyards and ornate facade details. Inside, an old wine cellar showcases a long tradition of wine storage and aging that dates back centuries.
The building traces its origins to 1438 when Melk Abbey acquired a house to serve as its Vienna residence. Over the centuries, the structure expanded and received its current name designation during the 1500s.
The chapel inside honors Saints Leopold and Koloman and displays religious artworks from different periods. Visitors can sense a connection to Vienna's spiritual history reflected in the carefully maintained interior details.
The building sits in the inner city center and can be admired from outside, while the wine cellar in the basement remains accessible. Visiting during daylight hours is best to see the full details of the facade and inner courtyards.
The ceiling paintings by Johann Bergl create an optical illusion that makes rooms appear larger than they actually are, a rare example of baroque spatial design found in few other places in Vienna. These artistic effects demonstrate a clever use of perspective that deceives the eye in pleasant ways.
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