The Town Walls

Sections of the town wall have been preserved to this day in the vicinity of the former Vienna Gate. The walls not only served to defend the town, they also facilitated the control of burghers and travellers.

The town fortifications originate in the period of the Babenberg residence. Duke Frederick the Fair bestowed on Melk the title of Landesfeste (‘Territorial Fortress’) in 1309. The town wall with two towers is first mentioned in a document dated 1462. Shortly thereafter Bohemian troops under Matthias Corvinus were repelled, as was an attack by Hungarian warriors.

Beginning in the mid-16th century, the walls were renovated, with additions built and towers added. The market wall along with all of the towers was completed by 1605. Melk served as a place of refuge from the Turks in 1592 and 1683. In 1619 Protestant troops besieged the market town in vain for five weeks.

The fortifications later lost their military importance and were considered a nuisance. The towers were sold and the gates and large portions of the walls torn down in the 19th century.