Strahov Monastery

Premonstratensian abbey from 1143, home to two of Europe's most magnificent historic library halls — a living medieval monastery on Prague's Hradčany.

Strahov Monastery is a Premonstratensian abbey on the Hradčany hill in Prague, founded in 1143 by Bishop Jindřich Zdík. It ranks among the best-preserved medieval monasteries in Central Europe and is designated a National Cultural Monument. The monastery is especially renowned for its Baroque library halls — the Theological Hall and the Philosophical Hall are among the most splendid historic library rooms in the world, featuring vaulted fresco ceilings and thousands of original bound volumes. The monastery remains home to an active Premonstratensian community to this day.