Strahov Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries of the Order of Premonstratensian Monks. It was founded in 1140-1143 by Vladislav II on the initiative of the Bishop of Olomouc Jindř ich Zdik. The name of the monastery has its roots in the word "guard", as it was in this place that the outpost was located, which guarded the approaches to the Prague Castle. Proximity to the center of Prague led to his participation in almost all historical events in medieval Prague: the Hussite Wars, the Thirty Years' War, the shelling and destruction of the monastery by French troops who dug in the monastery garden in 1742, the storming of Prague by the Prussian army. At the end of the XVIII century the monastery was threatened with closure. Emperor Joseph II ordered the closure of monasteries that could not show their benefits to society. The opening of a public library saved the monastery.
The monastery was rebuilt several times.
Originally wooden, but in 1143 stone buildings were erected in the Romanesque style. After the fire of 1258, buildings in the early Gothic style were erected in its place. After that, the monastery was repeatedly rebuilt, until the end of the XVII century, the current look in the Baroque architectural style was established. The monastery was embodied in the Baroque style from 1742 to 1758 by the Italian architect A. Lurago after the monastery was once again destroyed by French troops.
On the territory of the monastery are the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Church of St. Rocha, Museum of Czech Literature, Art Gallery, Museum of Miniatures, Garden, Hotel, Restaurant with Private Brewery.
The monastery has a significant ancient library for more than 800 years. The oldest books date back to the middle of the XII century. The library is located in several halls. the shadows of the halls are covered with frescoes.
The library burned down many times: in 1258 together with the monastery, in 1420 during the siege of the monastery by the Hussites. In the 17th century, the library had more than 3.000 volumes. In the middle of 1648, after the capture of Prague by the Swedes, the library was looted, and 19 boxes of books from the Strahov Library were taken to Uppsala and Stockholm. However, much has been preserved and in 1670-1674 under Abbot Jerome Girnheim the library was restored in a new building. In the 18th century, under the threat of closing the monastery, Abbot Vaclav Mayer opened the library to the general public and built a new library building from the former barn in record time.
The new library building has survived to the present day. Twelve thousand books were moved to the Theological Hall, built in the Baroque style. Strahov's library was replenished with many books from closed monasteries.
In addition, carved walnut bookshelves made on the occasion of the end of the Thirty Years' War were transported from the monastery in Louka in Znayma. Shelves were installed in the new Philosophical Hall of the library. The ceilings of the hall were painted with frescoes by Franz Molberts.
Currently, the library has about 13.000 books, 1.500 first editions, 2.500 manuscripts, several thousand graphic sheets. The curiosity cabinet is an analogue of the art chamber, the cabinet has collected natural history collections.
Already in the XVIII century the monastery had a valuable collection of paintings. In 1834, Abbot Jerome J. Seidler decided to organize the collection, which at that time had more than 400 paintings. Since then, paintings have been purposefully purchased, a catalog of works has been created. By the 1870s, the collection had grown to 1.000 paintings. On the basis of the monastery in the XX century an art gallery was created, which exhibits the best works of the XIV-XIX centuries.
Currently, since 1993, part of the collection is presented in the permanent exhibition of the Strahov Art Gallery. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum hosts thematic exhibitions.
The monastery was rebuilt several times.
Originally wooden, but in 1143 stone buildings were erected in the Romanesque style. After the fire of 1258, buildings in the early Gothic style were erected in its place. After that, the monastery was repeatedly rebuilt, until the end of the XVII century, the current look in the Baroque architectural style was established. The monastery was embodied in the Baroque style from 1742 to 1758 by the Italian architect A. Lurago after the monastery was once again destroyed by French troops.
On the territory of the monastery are the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Church of St. Rocha, Museum of Czech Literature, Art Gallery, Museum of Miniatures, Garden, Hotel, Restaurant with Private Brewery.
The monastery has a significant ancient library for more than 800 years. The oldest books date back to the middle of the XII century. The library is located in several halls. the shadows of the halls are covered with frescoes.
The library burned down many times: in 1258 together with the monastery, in 1420 during the siege of the monastery by the Hussites. In the 17th century, the library had more than 3.000 volumes. In the middle of 1648, after the capture of Prague by the Swedes, the library was looted, and 19 boxes of books from the Strahov Library were taken to Uppsala and Stockholm. However, much has been preserved and in 1670-1674 under Abbot Jerome Girnheim the library was restored in a new building. In the 18th century, under the threat of closing the monastery, Abbot Vaclav Mayer opened the library to the general public and built a new library building from the former barn in record time.
The new library building has survived to the present day. Twelve thousand books were moved to the Theological Hall, built in the Baroque style. Strahov's library was replenished with many books from closed monasteries.
In addition, carved walnut bookshelves made on the occasion of the end of the Thirty Years' War were transported from the monastery in Louka in Znayma. Shelves were installed in the new Philosophical Hall of the library. The ceilings of the hall were painted with frescoes by Franz Molberts.
Currently, the library has about 13.000 books, 1.500 first editions, 2.500 manuscripts, several thousand graphic sheets. The curiosity cabinet is an analogue of the art chamber, the cabinet has collected natural history collections.
Already in the XVIII century the monastery had a valuable collection of paintings. In 1834, Abbot Jerome J. Seidler decided to organize the collection, which at that time had more than 400 paintings. Since then, paintings have been purposefully purchased, a catalog of works has been created. By the 1870s, the collection had grown to 1.000 paintings. On the basis of the monastery in the XX century an art gallery was created, which exhibits the best works of the XIV-XIX centuries.
Currently, since 1993, part of the collection is presented in the permanent exhibition of the Strahov Art Gallery. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum hosts thematic exhibitions.
Translated automatically from Ukrainian. View original
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