Join us on a guided tour of the mighty Strahov Monastery of the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré in Hradcany, Prague. Learn about its tumultuous history and how it withstanded numerous religious conflicts over the centuries, including two world wars and th communist regime. Discover the treasures of one of the most important places of worship in Prague.
Choose the 3-hour option to visit the Strahov Monastery. You will meet your Private Guide by the Column of the Holy Trinity in front of St Nicholas Church in the heart of the Lesser Town. From there you will head to Hradcany Square, the ‘front yard’ of the Prague Castle with many architecturally interesting buildings, such as the Schwarzenberg Palace, the Hradcany Town Hall, and Archbishop’s Palace. You will also see Lorento, a historic pilgrimage destination with a church, a cloister and a clock tower, as well as the Czernin Palace, which is the largest baroque palace in Prague.
Finally, you will reach the Strahov Monastery. Sitting high above Prague on the Petřín Hill, the mediaeval monastery offers commanding views of the Lesser Town and Prague Castle. The live commentary from your Expert Guide will introduce you to its history and role as “the guarding place”. Inside the monastery you will admire several impressive halls, the frescoes of St Norbert in the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady, and the Strahov Picture Gallery, which houses an important collection of European art from the 14th to 19th century. The art collection includes Bohemian, Rudolphian, Gothic and Rococo paintings, as well as sculptures and graphic and arts-and-crafts objects, mostly liturgical. There is also the MIRO Gallery situated in St Roch Church, which displays classical masters such as Dali or Chagall.
Choose the 4-hour option to enrich your experience with a visit to the world-famous Strahov Library. The monastery’s library occupies two magnificent baroque halls with beautifully curved ceilings. The two storey Philosophy Hall is decorated with a wonderful fresco depicting “the spiritual development of humankind”. Next to it is the Theology Hall, decorated by stucco and painted ornaments from the 1820. Both halls have walnut shelving to contain the thousands of valuable books. It is a must-see if you’re a library lover!