In the middle of the 12th century, the Emperor Vladislas II authorized a Premonstratensian monastery to be founded on this remarkable site, located at the time on the western border of the city. A first Romanesque abbey was built starting in 1180, it was then several times rebuilt. In the 17th century, the relics of St Norbert, founder of the order, were transferred to Prague from the Magdebourg monastery which had become protestant, thus considerably increasing the prestige of the abbey.
Contrary to numerous monasteries, the abbey of Strahov was fortunate and continued to prosper, undisturbed by the brutal closings and destructions imposed by Joseph II in the entire Empire in the late 18h century. Evicted by the communists, the Premonstratensian community was given back the monastery after the Velvet Revolution.
Inside the compound with its uneven cobblestones, the setting is bucolic and slightly timeless: you can admire the Saint Roch chapel built under the reign of Rudolf II, and the impressive church of the Assumption of our Lady, built by Anselmo Lurago in the 18th century. It offers a beautiful décor with Baroque stucco and frescos.
The visit of the historic Baroque library is unforgettable: it is composed of the rooms of theology and of philosophy with vaults adorned with frescos and stucco decorations. They include huge wooden shelves, masterpieces of decorative woodwork, where the very rich collections of books of the monastery are exhibited. Various “cabinets of curiosities” filled with unusual naturalist collections are arranged in the corridor connecting both rooms.
Art aficionados can also visit the art gallery (Strahovska obrazarna): the major piece of the collection is the very famous “Strahov Madonna” dating from the 14th century, representing Mater Domus the monastery’s protector.
Abbey of Strahov
Strahovské nádvoří 1/132,
118 Prague 1 - Hradčany (Castle District)
www.strahovskyklaster.cz
How to get there:
Tramway : line 22, stop “Pohořelec”.
Open daily from 9am to 12pm and from 1pm to 5pm.
Closed on December 25th.
