Strahov Monastery, Prague

Strahov Monastery is a Premonstratensian abbey, and its long history begins in 1143. [descriptionEn; inception] The complex gathers a basilica, a picture gallery, and the celebrated Strahov Library. [narrativeExtractEn] The monastery was founded through the efforts of Jindřich Zdík, the bishop of Olomouc, with support from Prague’s bishop and Duke Vladislaus II; monks arrived from Steinfeld in the Rhineland.

[articleExtractEn] Its buildings carry Romanesque, Renaissance, and Baroque layers. [architecturalStyle] The basilica’s present Baroque form comes from the Italian architect Anselmo Lurago. [narrativeExtractEn; architect] Look at the library façade, where a gilded medallion of Emperor Joseph II gives a church building an unusual imperial presence.

[articleExtractCs] Inside the historic library are over 200,000 volumes, including more than 3,000 manuscripts and 1,500 early printed books. [articleExtractEn] The collection is arranged in the Theological Hall and the larger Philosophical Hall, with frescoed ceilings and connecting library corridors. [articleExtractCs] The monastery endured a fire in 1258, the Hussite assault of 1420, closure under the communist regime in 1950, and restoration after the regime ended.

[narrativeExtractEn] Its library and monastic life were renewed after the Premonstratians returned. [articleExtractEn]