Strahov Library

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.