Strahov Library

The two halls that contained the philosophy and theology books are stunning. I went two hours before closing, and there were not many people around, so I was able to take my time looking at the halls. During the day, though, I suspect it is much busier, and you may only get a few minutes to look. There are three choices of tickets. One allows you to enter the theology hall as part of a tour. This ticket is expensive and sells out quickly. Another allows entrance to the exhibitions, monastery, and library, but you can only look into the library halls from the doorway. The third does not include the exhibits. The ticket area is the white church across the road from the souvenir shop. I went two hours before closing, and there was no queue. However, I was told there had been large queues earlier in the day, so I would suggest pre-purchasing a ticket. You can pay by card or cash. You can pay in CZK, EUR, or USD. It is generally cheaper to choose CZK. The lobby outside the halls contains artifacts and is worth a look. At the end there is an art exhibition. Lots of people were being turned away as not having a valid ticket. Having been given two tickets, we had assumed it was one per person. However, it turned out one was for entry to the library area, and the other was for entry to the exhibition. Each one states the number of people covered by the ticket. I showed my ticket, which turned out to be the library entry, and was turned away as not having a valid ticket. It took a moment to work out the mistake, and I did wonder how many other people had made the same error and missed out. There are no toilets in the building, but there are in the outside courtyard. There is a charge of 20 CZK for using these, cash only. The toilet attendant was rude, but the toilets were clean. The toilets are wheelchair accessible. There is a souvenir shop across the road from the ticket office at the main gate. The staff were friendly and helpful. There is also a restaurant. The library area is not accessible for people who use a wheelchair. Other areas of the monastery are accessible. There are plans to install a lift. There is also the possibility of being able to park directly at the monastery if you have a disability. You need to contact the promotions staff to arrange this option.

An absolute masterpiece of baroque architecture and one of Prague's hidden gems! The Strahov Library is simply breathtaking - a must-visit for book lovers, history enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates stunning architecture. IMPORTANT: Book at least one month in advance if you want to see the interior! The library only allows a limited number of visitors inside each day, and spots fill up quickly. Don't make the mistake of showing up without a reservation - you'll only be able to see it through the doorway. The two main halls - the Philosophical Hall and the Theological Hall - are absolutely magnificent. The Philosophical Hall, with its stunning walnut wood interior and ceiling fresco, looks like something straight out of Beauty and the Beast. The Theological Hall, with its beautiful stucco decorations and 17th-century globes, is equally impressive. The collection of ancient manuscripts, maps, and books is incredible, some dating back to the 9th century. While you can't touch the books (understandably), the exhibits in the corridors showcase fascinating historical texts and the evolution of bookbinding. Pro tips: - Book a private tour one month in advance for interior access - Photography requires a special permit (worth it!) - Visit early in the day to avoid crowds - Don't miss the Cabinet of Curiosities with its interesting collection of sea creatures and insects The entrance fee might seem a bit steep, but it's justified given the library's historical significance and immaculate preservation. The monastery complex also offers stunning views over Prague. A true testament to human knowledge and artistic achievement - this library will leave you in awe of its beauty and historical significance.

The Strahov Library is truly a stunning place with an incredible atmosphere. The historic interiors are filled with history, and the ceiling frescoes are unbelievably detailed. I was especially impressed by the Philosophical Hall, which is majestic and filled with rare books. The only downside is that visitors don’t have free access to walk between the shelves and can only view the library from a designated area. Despite this, it is one of the most beautiful places in Prague, and I highly recommend visiting, especially if you love history and beautiful architecture.

The most amazing thing was the dendrological library! It's a library of many, many trees, with each "book" made from and containing objects from each type of tree. The spine of each "book" includes a layer of the tree's bark. Truly spectacular. As others have mentioned, you can't actually go into the fancy library rooms. They are still beautiful to see. Visited about 3:30 pm on a rainy day, so there were no lines to purchase tickets or to view the library.

A beautiful library. Like the Klementium, you cannot enter and only take photos from the exterior of the library. There is a small gate to prevent you from entering. There’s also a small collection of some “curiosities” old texts, different antique globes dating back hundreds of years, and some other interesting bits. Small museum. To me it was worth the price. Note that as of today one of the libraries had some scaffolding up. Not sure how long it will be there.

Beautiful library! They are very strict about having the ticket and QR code - we were hoping to buy onsite upon arrival but they forced us buy online using our phones which didn’t have good cell service. The library is stunning!!! They were setting up for a private event so we weren’t able to walk in. It’s a very small museum of the library but so pretty

There are lots of good reviews about this library, so I will only add photos. My only note will be that this is an extraordinary place.

Absolutely breathtaking libraries. If you love books, definitely worth the visit to the monastery to check these out! For both, you cannot enter the libraries with a regular ticket, but you can take a photo from the doorway, as pictured below. To me, this was definitely worth it just to see it and smell the old books. However, it is possible to enter at least the room with the wood paneling via a private tour that must be booked advance. Will be doing that for my next visit to Prague! Also, recommend booking the tickets online (even just the basic ones) to avoid having to go to the ticket window. Digital tickets are excepted via the QR code on the ticket you buy.