Strahov Monastery in Prague: description, history, interesting facts and reviews

There are places in every city that tourists are advised to visit, and one of such places is Strahov Monastery in Prague, which has a rich history and unusual directions of its life.

Strahov Monastery

The largest religious place in the city center once played an important role, today it is one of the most interesting places, which is the representative of the most ancient Christian structure in the Czech Republic.

In addition to the fact that this building represents a monastery that anyone can visit, it also has a museum, a library and a brewery, known not only to the citizens, but also to the guests of the city. Also there is an art gallery, where a large collection of paintings is presented.

Description

Description of the Strahov Monastery can begin with the main gate in the Baroque style, where you can see the sculpture of Norbet. On the left is the St. Roch Church in Renaissance style with Gothic elements. In the center of the courtyard is a statue of St. Norbert, and behind it is the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

At first the church was built in the style of the Romanesque basilica, then rebuilt in the Gothic style, then in the Renaissance style, and today one can see it in the Baroque style, which has survived since perestroika in the middle of the 18th century.

If you look to the right of the entrance to the church, you can see the famous library, where there is a main hall, the Philosophical and Theological Hall.

The Strahov Monastery in Prague is also beautiful because it has a terrace with a stunning view of the Prague Castle with red-tiled roofs, a classic picture depicted on many postcards about Prague.

Prehistory

In the old center of the city there is one of the monasteries that survived to this day and is still thriving. The name Strahov Monastery in Prague received from the word "guard". Once upon a time there was an outpost on this place.

The history of Strahov Monastery is quite simple, but it laid the foundation for the existence of one abbey.

Once there lived a simple man named Norbet, lived calmly and measuredly, and even could become a bishop, but refused. But by chance, Norbet began to lead a monastic life, after nearly perishing, galloping on a horse during a thunderstorm, but survived and considered it a divine sign.

Norbet founded the abbey, the Order of Premonstrants, the main thing for which is to lead a measured life, to reject all sorts of money and develop their spiritual component.

At the entrance to the monastery you can see the sculpture of Norbet.

History of creation

However, the history of the Strahov Monastery in Prague began in 1140 at the insistence of Bishop Zdik.

At first it was built of wood, then stone buildings appeared. After the fire occurred, in 1258, the buildings were rebuilt, then rebuilt and added new buildings.

The monastery, which is on the Strahov hill, in fact, once was a fortress and protected the city from attacks, bringing troubles related to the restoration work.

For some time, when the dynasty of Luxembourg came to power, the attacks ended, but the peace did not last long, and the Hussite wars began, when in 1420 the monastery was partially destroyed and the library was plundered.

In 1586 the monastery was managed by the abbot Jan Logeliy, who was able to return some of the stolen property, and also the construction of the Roch church began.

In 1612, Logelius became a bishop in Prague, and in his place came Kashpar Questenberg, where a brewery was built, and in 1627 brought the relics of St. Norbert.

Only in 1630 the construction of the church of Roch was completed.

At this time, the Thirty Years War begins, and the Swedes come to power, occupy the Strahov Monastery, take away most of the books, destroy some of the buildings. And again in 1670 a new recovery period begins, when the Theological Hall is being built.

In 1742, the French attacked Prague and again destroyed the monastery. After years it is rebuilt, already in the Baroque style, which every tourist can see today.

But in the 18th century they wanted to close it up as unnecessary. Emperor Joseph II asks all religious institutions to prove their importance and expediency. The abbot, who was in charge of the monastery at the time, Vaclav Mayer, had to open the library doors for everyone.

In 1779 the Philosophical Hall was built, and in 1787 Mozart came to the monastery, and another masterpiece replenished the monastery's treasury.

National Literature Monument, art gallery and miniature museum

The existing Strahov Monastery in Prague, in addition to the building itself, housed the famous art gallery on its territory, which was founded in 1836 under the leadership of the abbot Jerome Zeidler. Always in the monastery hung paintings and sculptures, which was an integral part of this historic building. The very first paintings belong to the XV-XVI centuries, and most actively the collection was replenished in the XVII century. Some of the paintings were not preserved because of various attacks, rebuildings and fires. Most of the modern art gallery was collected in the 40s of the 19th century. Today you can see pictures of artists such as John Jerry Hering and the painting "Burial," Andrea Celesti, Peter Brandl and others.

The museum or literary monument has been keeping literary works since 1775. But the museum itself was opened only in 1953, he owned the first samples of the letter when it first appeared.

Today the main exhibits of the museum are manuscripts of writers and poets, drafts, clippings from newspapers, photo documents and much more. In total, about 6 million written relics have been collected and the entire collection no longer fits in the same building.

Separately it is worth mentioning and the museum of miniatures, as this is an interesting direction of fine art. To create such works that are represented in the museum, you need to own a filigree technique and perform all activities under a microscope. A total of 29 exhibits, created by three artists - Nikolay Aldunin, Anatoly Konenko and Eduard Kazaryan. In the museum you can see the following exhibits: a samovar on a needle, a famous flea- shoveled , a train that fits in a thread and others.

Brewery in the monastery

On the territory of the monastery for many centuries, as before, is the brewery, which is famous for its famous amber drink "Saint Norbert".

Here, at the brewery, the famous restaurant Klasterni pivovar Strahov operates, where you can order delicious snacks and national dishes. Despite the fact that the prices in the brewery in Strahov Monastery in Prague are above average, here it is always crowded, and the quality of food and beer is at the highest level.

Ancient library

Almost from the moment of creation of the building, the library of the Strahov Monastery in Prague, which is no less interesting to residents and guests of the city, has also started working. Several fires completely destroyed the library together with the monastery, but it was restored every time. Already several centuries ago it was considered the largest library in the Czech Republic, where thousands of books were collected.

Over the years, the library fund was replenished, someone donated, someone left as an inheritance, or bought rare copies of books on purpose.

In 1648, there was a case when the Swedish troops wanted to take out all the books, and they practically succeeded, if the monks did not hide some of the books, giving them to citizens for storage.

A little later the library began to expand, it was necessary to build another building.

Today, here are collected more than 130 thousand books, more than 2 thousand manuscripts, rare specimens and graphic drawings. The very halls of the library look very beautiful: on the walls there are frescoes and moldings, built in the Baroque style.

Monument Attractions

Strahov Monastery in Prague is not the only interesting building, you can see other attractions, such as the Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is decorated with frescoes. Also there is a marble altar from Slivenets, various sculptures and an organ on which Mozart once played.

No less attractive is the Theological Hall, which got its name due to the fact that it stores a variety of Bible editions in many languages, more than 18 thousand volumes.

Visit is also the Room of Wonders, which stores books related to natural science, and a collection of insects, samples of minerals and figurines of fruits.

Another attraction of the monastery, created in 1782 - is the Philosophical Hall, which contains 42 thousand volumes on philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, history.

Strahov Monastery in Prague: how to get there

The monastery is located in the center of the city, which means it is easy to get to it by walking on foot, by tram or bus, by private car, but leaving the car at the nearest paid parking lot.

If you use public transport, then you need to get off at the stop with the same name. The monastery itself is located at Strahovské nádvoří 1/132, Praha 1.

Strahov Monastery: opening hours and ticket price

On all days, except Monday, the Strahov Monastery works, from nine in the morning until five in the evening. There is also a gallery and a museum, but it's worth to go to the library from the very morning, as a certain number of people are allowed into it, and you just can not see this place.

The library works in the same way as the monastery, except on December 24 and 25 during Christmas and Easter days, all other days are open to everyone.

There is no single ticket for all buildings and premises on the territory of the monastery. The entrance to the monastery costs 80 kroons, and for the child - 50 kroons. To visit the library, you will need to pay 100 kroons (local currency). The cost of the ticket to the gallery is 120 kroons. How much to spend in a brewery and a local restaurant, everyone decides individually.

Reviews

All who have ever visited the Strahov Monastery in Prague claim that this is one of the most beautiful places.

You can visit the monastery yourself, go to several museums and a library, and then grab a snack at a local restaurant, although it costs more and more, but the quality justifies the price.

It is beautiful not only inside, but also offers a stunning view of the city. Someone thinks that tickets do not justify what you see, while other tourists, on the contrary, gladly take an extra excursion to learn the history of the monastery.

Most tourists are disappointed that, having paid for the entrance ticket to the library, they examine it from the doorstep, while I would like to walk around the hall and consider everything in more detail, so before buying a ticket, think how much it will be Interesting and justified for the price.