| Founded during the reign of Prince Vladislav II, Strahov Monastery (Strahovské nádvoří) is a large Premonstratensian abbey situated between Prague Castle and Petřín Hill. The Strahov Monastery complex includes the stunning Strahov Monastery Basilica; the world-famous Strahov Library; the Strahov Art Gallery, home to the Strahov Madonna; and the Strahov Abbey Gardens, from where visitors can enjoy magnificent views over Prague. Strahov Monastery was established in 1143 for the Premonstratensians, followers of the teachings of St. Augustine. Even today it is primarily a place where the community of Premonstratensian brothers live and work.
In 1258, a devastating fire destroyed much of the monastery, and it was rebuilt in the Gothic style. Further work was undertaken during the Late Renaissance period to the Basilica and Abbey Gardens. Following damage by Swedish troops in 1648, the monastery was enlarged and redesigned in the Baroque style.
Strahov Monastery Basilica (officially the Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary) is one of the most beautiful churches in Prague. The spiritual centre of the Abbey, it was built as a three-nave Romanesque basilica, but its current form includes a Gothic transept and two Renaissance towers with Baroque modifications. The interior walls are decorated with frescoes depicting scenes from the life of St. Norbert, the founder of the order.
Strahov Library has two main halls, the Baroque style Theological Hall (17th century) and the Classical Neoclassical Philosophical Hall (18th century), widely regarded as among the most beautiful library interiors in the world, renowned for their large, richly detailed ceiling frescoes depicting wisdom, knowledge and the development of humanity, floor-to-ceiling historic bookcases, and scientific objects and curiosities.
Strahov Library contains 16,000 books, comprising one of the oldest monastic book collections in the country, despite ransacking by several invading armies over the years. It also boasts a unique collection of globes dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries.
The Strahov Art Gallery holds one of the most important historic art collections in Prague. Founded in 1835, it contains over 2000 paintings, with nearly 200 dating from the 14th to 20th century on display, including the renowned Strahov Madonna. The Strahov Abbey Gardens are a tranquil green oasis and vineyard, parts of which provide beautiful views over the Lesser Town and the city beyond.
HOW TO VISIT STRAHOV MONASTERY:
Visitors can enter the vestibule of Strahov Monastery Basilica and wander around the grounds and parts of the gardens free of charge. To visit the other historic buildings, you need to buy a ticket for a self-guided tour.
A ticket entitles you to visit the public areas of Strahov Library, Strahov Art Gallery, the Treasury, and the Abbey buildings and gardens, including the Cloisters, Dining Halls and Romanesque Halls.
Tickets are available on site.
The Strahov Monastery complex and the grounds surrounding it have a serene, meditative quality. You can feel the history of its foundations all around.
It was once a hidden gem of Prague, and although it is more well-known today, visitors will feel fortunate to have discovered it.
FOOD & DRINK:
Strahov Monastery Brewery (Klášterní Pivovar Strahov) has indoor and outdoor seating areas. It brews its own Saint Norbert beer, including light and dark lagers and IPAs, and serves traditional Czech food, such as pork schnitzel and beef goulash.
Na Pekle is an underground restaurant within the Strahov Monastery complex, where guests can experience 600 years of winemaking, dining and beer brewing. It serves authentic traditional Czech cuisine and has an outdoor seating area in the summer. | 
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