One of the most mysterious, peculiar and fascinating places in Prague is the Strahov Monastery. This is almost as old as the city itself, and its very long history is intertwined with that of the Kingdom of Bohemia. Today it is still a religious temple, and if you are in Prague, it is one of the must-see tours.
The first Strahov monastery was small, humble, and made of wood. In addition, it was built by the first monks who were part of the Order of the Mostenses in the Czech Republic.
The delicate structure of the initial temple was the victim of raging fires, and to prevent this from happening again, the monastery was rebuilt in stone. Those first buildings are almost unrecognizable when compared to the current Strahov Monastery, which stands out for its amazing Baroque architecture.
In fact, the temple did not begin to take elements of the design and architecture of the Baroque movement until the 17th century, more than 500 years after its first wooden building was built.
In modern Prague, the Strahov Monastery, which was also affected by the limitations imposed by the former Soviet government, continues to be a window into the past, from which the ways of life of the ancient followers of the Order can be appreciated.
After numerous wars and attacks, the old monastery began to undergo a modernization process. Some of its most important monks and clergymen added new living spaces, as well as larger gardens, the cloisters, the interior church, the library, the Philosophical Hall and the Theological Hall.
The last two, the salons, devoted to theology and philosophy, continue to be some of the most important religious study rooms in the entire country. Similarly, the library of the Strahov Monastery is extensive, containing more than 200,000 copies, many of them dedicated to science, scholasticism, Czech history and the development of Catholic beliefs.
Likewise, the monastery has a small zoological exhibition, where there are different species of stuffed animals. Previously, these were used to carry out studies on biology.
Additionally, members of the Order have managed to collect one of the most incredible galleries of religious art in all of Central Europe.
The Strahov Monastery is, without a doubt, one of the most incredible visits for those who are passing through the Czech capital. Not only is it a completely different place from the others, but its severe appearance, baroque architecture, difficult history and mysteries yet to be discovered, make it a building full of curiosities.
To enter the Strahov Monastery, you have to wait for the moment when they are offering masses, since the rest of the time it is closed to the public.
However, you can enter the gallery and library by purchasing a ticket.
Leaving the Strahov Monastery, you can set off for Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral, the best places to continue exploring the history of the fantastic city of Prague.
Share it:
© 2021 All rights reserved TRIP AIM
Made in ❤ TripAim
