The king of Belgium, son of Leopold I., born in Brussels, April 9, 1835. he was liberally educated in the leading institutions of Belgium and Germany. His title as crown prince was duke of Brabant, and he served as a member of the national senate, in which he became distinguished as an influential advocate of internal and maritime improvement.

Leopold II

The king of Belgium, son of Leopold I., born in Brussels, April 9, 1835. he was liberally educated in…

The Abbey of Mölk (Melk) (Stift Melk), an old Austrian Benedictine monastery is one of the richest religious establishments in Central Europe. Palace, church, and fortress all in one, it sits high upon a granite base 100 feet above the Danube. Founded in 1089 when Leopold II, Margrave of Austria gave one of his castles to Benedictine monks from Lambach Abbey. A school was founded in the 12th Century. The monastery was also a major site for the production of manuscripts. Today's impressive Baroque abbey was built between 1702 and 1736 by architect Jakob Prandtauer. Particularly noteworthy is the abbey church with frescos by Johann Michael Rottmayr and the impressive library with countless medieval manuscripts.

Abby of Mölk

The Abbey of Mölk (Melk) (Stift Melk), an old Austrian Benedictine monastery is one of the richest…