Strahov Library

I love this library but it was kinda scam-ish… don’t let the internet fool you. Paid the ticket THAT much and queue for so LONG just to stand in front of the door was such a let down. They don’t let you to go inside and the location is quiet far away from the city. Don’t go here if you have better things to do. Except when you’re in the area. I don’t understand why they can’t just let people go inside like the old historical library in Vienna, you can still PROTECT the library while also let people enter.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! This was the top of my bucket list. I love books and libraries, so visiting the place was like heaven (exaggeration here ^_^). I almost cried when I first came then the counter teller said no more tickets for the day. So, the next day, I came early! The libraries' ceiling were spectacular. The designs were breathtaking, that's all I can say. The different sizes of globes and maps are amazing too. Sadly, we couldn't get in and see up close the library and books, which we understand to protect the books and things inside. Though, we saw a group that managed to go in via a tour group, but I think still restricted. To those who love books, I highly recommend this place.

The Strahov Library is breathtaking, with ornate halls and shelves full of history. Walking through feels like stepping back in time. The staff were so lovely and welcoming, which made the experience even better. Truly a must-see in Prague.

Honestly, a big disappointment. My daughter, who loves to read and loves books, wanted to visit this place so much, and we came here especially even though the place is not in a central area at all. The cost of the tickets is not cheap at all, and when it became clear what you get in return, it was a waste of time and money. You are not allowed to enter the library halls, but only to see from the entrance, so you can't really get an impression of the power of the place when you are pushed together with many other tourists at the entrance. To enter the halls themselves, you need to purchase a private tour. If you want to enter the gallery, you need to purchase an additional ticket. Simply a robbery in my opinion. To see what is included in the admission ticket, it takes perhaps 10 minutes.

It was a really inspiring visit. You can take a look at the library only from the door, you cannot actually enter inside due to the fact that there are kept originals but still you can take a glimpse of the beauty. The collection of globes is really amazing.

I had the pleasure of visiting this remarkable library and museum, which turned out to be much more than shelves of books. The setting itself is stunning, with vaulted ceilings, long galleries, and a calm, almost reverent atmosphere. The collections are beautifully varied. Among the highlights were early Renaissance and Baroque paintings such as Carrying the Cross by a master from Antwerp, Josef Jíra’s modern Calvary, the striking portrait of Judith holding Holofernes’ head, and Bartholomaeus Spranger’s dramatic Resurrection of Christ. Each piece is clearly labelled in Czech and English, often with QR codes for further information, making it easy to appreciate their historical context. Equally impressive were mythological and allegorical works like Minerva and the Muses and Alexander the Great before Diogenes. The variety of themes, from sacred to classical, really shows the depth of the collection. Beyond the paintings, the museum also houses extraordinary objects: an ornate grandfather clock with lavish gilding, a powerful 14th-century carved Crucified Christ from Jihlava, and dazzling decorative treasures such as gem-encrusted silverwork. I was also struck by a quieter, more intimate 19th-century portrait signed by H. Garay in 1860, showing that the collection spans many centuries and styles. Overall, the library is both visually and intellectually rich — part gallery, part historical archive, and part place of reflection. It’s well curated, accessible, and absolutely worth setting aside a couple of hours to explore.

Despite being a beautiful library you can only see it from behind a rope in a tiny door and cannot enter the library to see closer, only of you book a private guide 1/2 weeks beforehand. Very disappointing. It only includes a corridor with very little information/pieces and the view of the library.

My review is like many others. You can't go into the library! This defeats the whole purpose of going for people like me who love history and can read Latin. The place would be more aptly described as a museum. You can see some nice things, but only from afar. You can see the library but only from a doorway. The views are nice inside and out. And the café on the grounds had great food. So, visit the facility if you like, but paying the entrance fee for the library will feel like a waste of money. Not a good value, unfortunately.