Strahov Monastery

Strahov Monastery (Strahovský klášter) is a monastery of the Premonstratensian canons regular perched on Hradčany hill in Prague, right next to Prague Castle. It ranks among the oldest continuously active monasteries of its order in the world, and its historic library halls and monastery brewery are today among the most visited sights on Prague's castle hill.

When was Strahov Monastery founded?

The foundation dates back to the mid-12th century. Construction began around 1138 on the initiative of Jindřich Zdík, Bishop of Olomouc, with support from Prague's bishops and Bohemian rulers. In 1143 the first Premonstratensian canons arrived at Strahov from Steinfeld in the Rhineland, an event considered the true start of the religious community that still resides here today. The Premonstratensian order follows the Rule of St. Augustine, and in the 17th century Abbot Kašpar Questenberg brought the relics of the order's founder, St. Norbert, to the monastery from Magdeburg.

How did the monastery survive centuries of turmoil?

Strahov's history is a sequence of destruction and reconstruction. A fire in 1258 forced a thorough rebuilding of the monastery buildings. In 1420 the complex was completely plundered during a Hussite raid. The Thirty Years' War brought further losses, as Swedish troops destroyed part of the buildings and the book collection. In 1742, during the siege of Prague, the complex suffered from French bombardment. After 1950, under communist suppression of religious orders, the state took over the monastery — which, paradoxically, enabled extensive archaeological research and careful restoration of the oldest, Romanesque parts of the building. Only after 1989 did the Premonstratensians regain Strahov, and they have continued its reconstruction and conservation ever since.

Why is the Strahov library so famous?

A book collection existed at Strahov from the monastery's earliest days, but it was two Baroque halls that made it famous worldwide. The Theological Hall was completed in 1672 and holds more than 18,000 volumes. The Philosophical Hall, 32 metres long and 14 metres high, was finished later — the work was completed in 1797 under Abbot Václav Mayer — and houses roughly 42,000 volumes. In total, the Strahov library preserves more than 200,000 volumes, including over 3,000 manuscripts and around 1,500 early printed books and incunabula. Both halls are decorated with elaborate Baroque ceiling frescoes and wooden shelving reaching up to the ceiling.

What else is worth seeing on the monastery grounds?

Besides the library halls, the complex includes the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and the monastery buildings arranged around a picturesque courtyard, the Strahov Courtyard (Strahovské nádvoří). The monastery also ran its own economic operations — forests, landed estates and fishponds — today managed through subsidiary companies of the canonry.

Is the monastery brewery worth a visit?

Yes — brewing at Strahov is documented as far back as around 1400, making it one of the oldest recorded monastery breweries in Prague. Today the former monastery cellars house a restaurant with its own small brewery, continuing this centuries-old tradition.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Strahov Monastery located? On Hradčany hill in Prague, right next to Prague Castle.

Who founded Strahov Monastery? The foundation was initiated by Jindřich Zdík, Bishop of Olomouc, and in 1143 the first Premonstratensian canons arrived from Steinfeld in the Rhineland.

What does the famous Strahov library contain? Two Baroque halls — the Theological Hall (completed 1672) and the Philosophical Hall (completed 1797) — together holding more than 200,000 volumes, including manuscripts and early printed books.

Does Strahov still have a working monastery brewery? Yes, brewing traditions here date back to around 1400 and continue today as a restaurant with its own microbrewery.

Is the monastery still an active religious community? Yes, since 1989 the Premonstratensians have again managed Strahov and are carrying out its ongoing restoration.