Some folks tire of visiting churches but I have not reached that point. Last year we visited the Weiskirche (sp?) Ettal Monastery and a few that I have forgotten the names. Any towns with memorable churches to visit in Austria or Switzerland?

If you have;t seen the Abbey in Melk you should definitely do so.

Well, St. Stephens Cathedral in the center of Vienna is pretty spectacular as is Karlskirche.

http://www.aboutvienna.org/sights/st..._cathedral.php

http://www.aboutvienna.org/sights/karlskirche.php

Also, the Pilgrimage Church in Mariazell, which was visited by the Pope in the 1980's, is quite lovely.

http://www.haus-franziskus.at/index....azell&nyelv=en

And, there is also the little chapel in Oberndorf near Salzburg, where Silent Night was first performed.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/a...ght-chapel.htm

I loved the Fraumunster in Zurich for the stained glass windows by Marc Chagall and Alberto Giacometti.

The views from one of the towers of the Grossmunster, also in Zurich, are just wonderful. This church has stained glass windows by Augusto Giacometti, nephew of Alberto.

Both churches have some interesting frescoes.

In general, I like the Catholic churches best because so many of them are baroque. They're really beautiful, though there are a few that really go overboard with their decoration. The Karlskirche in Vienna and the Collegiate church in Salzburg are both by Fischer von Erlach and are stunning. They're my favorites. But almost any church in Vienna or Salzburg would be worth seeing.

The Augustinerkirche in Vienna is beautiful, with the added attraction of wonderful music.

Thanks !!! We're flying into Zurich and plan to be in the Salzburg region too. We have not seen the Abby in Melk, so that can be added.

The Stift Melk is fantastic and not to be missed by anyone visting Austria!

I also found walking into Stift Rein at noon a very moving experience as the monks were singing the noon vespers in a side chapel when I arrived in the amazing baroque basilica. Stunning... and an 'OMG' moment. It is a Cistercian monastery founded in 1129, it is now the oldest Cistercian monestary in the world. This is truly a gorgeous church! Like Weiskirche in Bavaria, Germany but with more grounds...they grow apples for schnapps, etc.

Also, the libray at Stift Rein is a must see. I saw the basilica on my own but was lucky enough to be allowed to join a private tour for the other sites on the property, including the recently discovered medieval chapel.

The tour guide was such a sweet woman that after her tour group left, she offered to show me around to some other sites on the grounds. Afterwards, she recommended another church that I should see in the area, the Pilgrim's Church of Maria Strassengel... which she insisted that I should follow her to so as not to miss it! She was right... another 'do not miss'! And, the site of it, sitting high on a hill above the golden fields! I stopped on my way down for soooooo many photo ops!

St. Stephen's is Vienna is also wonderful as previously mentioned.

And, then there is the gorgeous basilica in Mondsee... the cathedral where the wedding scene from the SOM was filmed.

The Wallfahrtskirdhe at St. Wolfgang is also stunning in its architechture and artwork.

The St. Nikolaus Parish Church in Hall in Tyrol... another great visit.

And, of course, all of the marvelous churches in Salzburg! Too numerous to mention! But, Michaelskirche is worth a special note because it is probably easily overlooked and shouldn't be.

And, don't miss the Dom in Salzburg. Read up on how to see the Virgin Mary statue being crowned by the angels outside the cathedral.

St. Peter's Church in Salzburg is also truly beautiful! Another do not miss!

And, the Stiftskirche Nonnberg... where 'Maria from SOM' lived at the abbey... the church is beautiful and the 11th century frescoes at the rear of the church are truly wonderful. Bring coins to light the altar and the frescoes!

Wow, thanks Joan,Peg,Jean,Betty and NYtraveler! I am so excited. My husband had suggested Alaska for vacation this year and all I could think of was I'm sure Alaska is beautiful but there are not any Castles or so many beautiful Churches there plus all of the other experiences that make Europe special.

Deladeb,

Laughing about your Castles and Churches comment... I've called my last few vacations the 'Castles and Cathedrals Tours'! Love them!!! I can get museum'ed out but never seem to get too much of great castles and cathedrals! The baroque cathedrals are obviously the most ornate.

I thought the best souvenier that I bought back was a hand-painted Christmas ornament of Kappel Oberndorf where Silent Night was first performed, close to Salzburg. Mohr, the composer, was born in Salzburg. However, you will find ornaments w/ the kappel on them but no note of Silent Night... but you can ask the store to write it 'Stille Nacht' in german on the top of the ornament and Kappel Oberndorf on the bottom! They only had two... so my sisters received them as a souvenier and I didn't get any! Bummer!

If one starts from Vienna , they can find a most interesting tour of Churches ( Stifts ) all witnin 50 miles or so along the danube River in addition to Melk mentioned above.

Klosterneuburg - a short ride west from Vienna

www.stift-klosrerneuburg.at
about 900 years of history there - the Verdun Altar and their winery also

Stift Gottweig.at

www.stiftgoettweig.or.at

also 990 + years fine series of monastery rooms in addition tio the Church - restaurant also.

Stift Dürnstein -
celebrates 600 year anniversary this year in this beautiful village

Village has the castle ruins above where King Richard of England held for ransom in the 1100s. and many 14th - 15th century buildings - excelent place to test wine and schnaps of the area.

fine view of the Danube too. A favorite Church for marriages.

Melk

www.stiftmelk.at


restaurant and gardens too.

Maria Taferl

famous pilgrimage Church- just completely renovated - village has some good restaurants with panoramic views of the damube

www.mariataferl.at

www.basilika.at

www.stiftduernstein.at

Thank-you Molker!

Ramsau church, near Berchtesgaden in Bavaria ( 45 minutes from Salzburg) is one of the most picturesque churches I have seen in photographs. Mainly due to its setting. Planning to visit it in May 10.
Is Weiskirche a must see?

Paragkash, we stayed in Ramsau for 2 nights last June...I think we missed it...what was it near, the town or by itself?
I first saw the Weiskirch on a whirlwind bus tour, last year I wanted my husband to see it...so we drove via a one lane road folowing handmade wooden signs. There is a better route though....otherwise buses wouldn't be able to make it. It is beautiful and a must see in my opinion.

Yes, Weiskirche is a must see, IMO.