Durnstein

After a 90 minute sail through the lovely Wachau Valley, we arrive at a tiny Austrian town called Durnstein.  The ubiquitous castle is standing guard over the town, even though it has long been in ruins. It was begun in the 1200s and heavily damaged by the Swedish troups in the Thirty Year's War, then left to ruin.

The distinctly blue tower is part of the Augustinian Abbey,

built in 1725.  Today, the cloisters showcase exhibits relating

to the history of the Augustinian Order.

The Schloss Durnstein is now a luxury hotel, but was 

once a castle built in 1630.  Reportedly, this was 

A favorite of Lady Diana and Dodi Al-Fayed.