Unknown places of Prague IX: The rare library is the location of many world films and series
Films such as Adela has not eaten yet, She fell from the sky, The blood of the missing or series Visitors. From foreign production, for example Forman’s Amadeus or a British series The Three Musketeers. This library is truly unique and is located just a short distance from Prague Castle at the foot of Petřín Hill. It is part of the Strahov Monastery.
Strahov Monastery is the oldest Premonstratensian monastery in Bohemia, founded in the 12th century. It was originally a Romanesque building, the remains of which are clearly visible in the monastery up to the first floor. However, it underwent many reconstructions, the last of which gave it its baroque appearance, which it still has today. It still serves as a monastery even today, although its operation was interrupted during the communist regime for more than 40 years.
Strahov library, the jewel of the local monastery, is located in its courtyard. It has over 200,000 volumes, including several thousand manuscript works and original prints. It had been there since the construction of the monastery, but due to the misfortunes that plagued the monastery over the ages, such as fire and the fall of marauding Hussite troops, very few of the original books survived. Even so, the collection here is truly stunning. The oldest book that can be seen here is the so-called Strahov Gospel from the 9th century and written in the French city of Tours.
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Apart from very old and rare books, however, the library is also phenomenal in the appearance of its individual halls. You almost feel like you’re in a fight here, even though you can only look into the hall from the vestibule and you’re not allowed inside the hall. We can find two such halls here, theological and philosophical, which are connected by a connecting corridor.
In the grounds of the Strahov Monastery we can also find Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, church of St. Rocha, the Monument of National Literature and the famous Strahov Picture Gallery.
The monument of national writing serves as a place for research of rare historical works by scientists and the general public, as well as a literary museum. The art gallery offers the opportunity to view more than 1,500 works of Czech and European importance.
And if you want to relax for a while and recharge your batteries with a mug of good beer, the monastery also has its own brewery. St. beer is produced here. Norbert and you can have it right on the small square in front of the monastery. Good taste.