Strahov Monastery in Prague: tickets to the library and the tram route
Strahov Monastery stands on a hill above Prague Castle. Visitors climb up not for silence, but for two baroque halls with frescoes and old books. Below you will find the history, a list of sights, exact prices, opening hours, and the route from the tram stop.
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History
💡 In short:
- Adult ticket to the library: 220 CZK, full circuit: 390 CZK (as of 09/2026, ticket page).
- Opening hours: daily 9:00-17:00, tickets are sold until 16:15.
- Getting there: tram 22 or 23 to the Pohořelec stop, then a five-minute walk.
The Premonstratensian monastery was founded in the 12th century on a hill above the Vltava, west of the Old Town. The white robes of the silent monks can still be seen behind the walls, and the complex itself is considered one of the early Christian structures in Czechia.
© Matěj Baťha · CC BY-SAPhoto: Matěj Baťha, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe complex of buildings was rebuilt several times, and each century left its mark. The first stone building in the Romanesque style burned down in 1258, when a monk fell asleep over a burning candle. Gothic structures were erected in its place, which later survived the Hussite Wars, the French invasion, and the storming of Prague by Prussian troops (according to the history of the Strahov Library).
In the 18th century, the architect Lurago presented a design for a new monastery in the baroque style. It was built from 1742 to 1758, after French troops had destroyed the complex. The monks restored the buildings and continued collecting paintings, books, and rare geographical maps.
They planted vineyards and laid out a large garden around the buildings. The turning point came at the end of the 18th century: Emperor Joseph II ordered the closure of monasteries that were of no use. The library saved Strahov, it was opened to the general public and collections from closed monasteries were moved here. Today it is at once a working monastery, a museum, and the oldest public library in Czechia (according to the section about the monastery). The main relic, the remains of the founder Norbert of Xanten, is kept in the Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
Description
Even when almost all houses in old Prague were single-story, the monastery buildings rose several stories high. The Strahov Garden, laid out in the 17th century, stretches along the southern and eastern sides. The best view of the city opens from the viewing platform above the terraces with vineyards.
© Vianney2 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Vianney2, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsFlowering hedges, benches, and the snow-white statue of Our Lady in Exile draw tourists here. The statue replicates the work of Jan Bendl from Old Town Square: the Marian column was torn down in 1918, and the original was lost. Today the Madonna with a starry crown and gold inscription stands frozen above the defeated dragon (as of the garden description).
Most of the buildings in the garden were constructed after the Thirty Years' War. Among them are a confessional, a gardener's house for drying fruit, and the caves of Hell, carved into the hillside for practical purposes. The courtyard's centerpiece is considered to be a stone column with a statue of Saint Norbert on top, with the Basilica of the Assumption standing nearby.
Lower down, by the dam, grows a centuries-old ash tree, one of the largest in the country. Its crown spans about 40 meters, and the tree is roughly 200 years old (as of the garden information). An old pond has been preserved beneath the tree. Today the complex brings together a library, an art gallery, a museum of miniatures, and a collection of national literature.
Attractions
The complex has long been a place of pilgrimage to an ancient architectural monument. Here you get acquainted with the way of life of the Premonstratensian monks, who renounced personal wealth, and with the collections they gathered over centuries. Below are the main sights worth seeing.
Strahov Library
The library has operated for eight centuries and ranks among the most beautiful and extensive in Europe. Its holdings include over 130,000 books and about 25,000 ancient manuscripts, as well as a music collection (as of the library holdings). Among the relics is the early medieval Strahov Gospel. The collection grew through purchases abroad, bequests, and collections from other monasteries.
© Ricardalovesmonuments · CC BY-SAPhoto: Ricardalovesmonuments, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe monks also preserved music. In 1787 Mozart improvised on the monastery organ, and one of the monks wrote down the melody he heard from memory. That is how the piece became part of the complex's relics (as of the music archive).
A separate building with two famous halls was erected for the library. The Theological Hall was designed by Giovanni Domenico Orsi: beneath a barrel-vaulted ceiling with stucco work, it houses editions of the Bible in many languages and works by famous printers. The Philosophical Hall appeared a century later. It contains carved walnut shelves, and the ceiling was painted in 1794 by the Austrian artist Franz Anton Maulbertsch on the theme of "The History of Humanity" (as of the page about the library halls).
The Cabinet of Curiosities operates separately within the library. Here, alongside rare natural specimens, are the remains of a dodo bird. The collection of anomalies was purchased in 1798 with the inheritance of Baron Jan Eben. It also includes archaeological finds, tableware, weapons, and models of ancient warships (as of the page about the Cabinet of Curiosities).
Brewery
To the left of the main entrance is Klášterní pivovar Strahov. Monks have brewed beer here since the 13th century, and in the Middle Ages the rich drink helped them endure long fasts. It was here that the famous Saint Norbert beer was first brewed (as of the page about the monastery brewery).
© Tiia Monto · CC BY-SAPhoto: Tiia Monto, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe brewery has a restaurant with a simple atmosphere. It serves local beer varieties, traditional snacks, and hearty meals. The signature beer can also be bought as a souvenir, so after touring the library you can easily continue the evening with dinner in the very heart of Hradčany.
Basilica of the assumption of our lady
The basilica was founded in the Romanesque style, and it acquired its Gothic appearance after the fire of 1258. Two centuries after the Hussite Wars, it was restored in the Renaissance style, and after the French attack in 1742, Baroque became dominant. Frescoes with scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary and Saint Norbert appeared in 1774 (according to the page about the Basilica of the Assumption).
© Ricardalovesmonuments · CC BY-SAPhoto: Ricardalovesmonuments, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsInside, you sit on old carved pews and admire the gilded stucco and altar paintings. The sound of the organ that Mozart once touched still accompanies services today. This is an active church, so during services tourists are asked to keep quiet.
Art gallery
The painting collection began to take shape in the 18th century. By 1834, the monastery held about 500 canvases, and that was when they began organizing and cataloging them. The process was led by Abbot Jerome Zeidler, and in 1870 the number of works grew sharply (according to the Strahovská obrazárna page).
Today Strahovská obrazárna takes pride in works from the 14th to 19th centuries. The permanent exhibition and thematic shows display paintings by European Gothic and Renaissance masters, elements of liturgical vestments, and objects from various centuries. The halls surround the monastery courtyard, so you view part of the collection as you walk between the buildings.
Church of Saint Roch
The Gothic Church of Saint Roch adorns the northern part of the courtyard. It was built in 1603-1612 to a design by Giovanni Mario Filippi. Emperor Rudolf II provided the funds in gratitude to the saint for saving the city from the plague (according to the page about the Church of Saint Roch).
© Tilman2007 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsNearby, the Museum of Miniatures is open. The exhibits here are so tiny that you have to examine them through a magnifying glass. The complex grounds also house a literary archive with millions of documents, photographs, and manuscripts.
Opening hours and ticket prices
The library and gallery are open every day from 9:00 to 17:00 (as of 09/2026, current opening hours). Library tickets are sold until 16:15, with last entry at 16:30. The full circuit closes for ticket sales at 16:00, with last entry at 16:15. We checked the hours and prices on the official website on 14.09.2026.
Closed only on December 24 and 25 and on Easter Sunday. On December 31 the library is open until 12:00, and on January 1 it opens from 12:00 to 17:00.
Ticket | Adult | Reduced | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
Library | 220 CZK | 110 CZK | 460 CZK |
Full circuit: library, gallery, historic halls | 390 CZK | 220 CZK | 790 CZK |
Price source: 09/2026, full price list.
The reduced rate applies to children aged 6 to 17, students with an ISIC card up to age 26, and visitors aged 65 and over. Children under 6 enter free. Important: you cannot enter the library halls themselves with either a regular ticket or the full circuit. The books are protected from humidity, so the halls are viewed through the doorway. The historic halls are open only as part of the full circuit. Some tickets are sold online, which saves time at the ticket office in high season.
Tours and tickets
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Location and how to get there
Address: Strahovské nádvoří 1/132, Prague 1, Hradčany. The easiest way is to take tram 22 or 23 to the Pohořelec stop, then walk about 200 meters, roughly five minutes (according to the directions map). A second option: tram 25 to the Malovanka stop, also a five-minute walk.
From the center, the metro is convenient. From Malostranská station on line A, take tram 22 and get off at Pohořelec. From Hradčanská on the same line A, tram 25 goes to Malovanka. On foot from Charles Bridge it is about 1.5 km uphill via Malostranské náměstí and Nerudova Street. Wear comfortable shoes, the climb is noticeable.
An important note for 2026: the entrance through the Strahov Gardens from the Petřín side is closed until July 26, 2026 due to water main repairs (according to the notice about the 2026 garden closure). During this time, use the main gates or the passage through building 147/8 next to the Melvin café on Pohořelec Square.
Strahov Monastery in Prague on the map
The monastery stands in Hradčany, near Prague Castle and Petřín Hill. The location and the route from your hotel are easy to see on the map below.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter Strahov Monastery?
An adult library ticket costs 220 CZK, reduced 110 CZK, family 460 CZK. The full circuit with the gallery and historic halls costs 390 CZK for an adult and 220 CZK at the reduced rate (as of 09/2026, ticket prices 09/2026). Children under 6 enter free.
What are the opening hours and are there any days off?
The library and gallery are open every day from 9:00 to 17:00 (as of 09/2026, opening hours 09/2026). There are no weekly days off. Closed only on December 24 and 25 and on Easter Sunday. Tickets are sold until 16:15, with last entry to the library at 16:30.
Can you go inside the library halls?
No, you cannot enter the halls: the books are protected from humidity. You view them through the doorway. A regular ticket includes the library exhibition, the Cabinet of Curiosities, and a display of historic books (as of 09/2026, hall visitation rules). The full circuit adds the gallery and historic halls, but it also does not allow entry into the library halls.
How to get to the monastery from the center?
From Malostranská metro station on line A, tram 22 goes to the Pohořelec stop, then it's a five-minute walk (according to the route map from the metro). Tram 23 goes to the same place, and tram 25 stops at Malovanka. From Charles Bridge you can walk up in 20-25 minutes.
Is it worth buying tickets in advance?
In high season there can be a line at the ticket office, and the library halls are small. Online tickets are sold on the official website, and with them you get in faster (as of: 09/2026, online tickets). In December, at Easter, in summer, and on weekends it's better to buy tickets in advance.
In short: what's worth booking
It's not just about the library. It's worth coming here for two Baroque halls with frescoes, a brewery with centuries of history, and the view of Prague from the observation deck. If you're short on time, get a ticket to the library and don't go further up the garden. If you want to see the whole collection, take the full circuit and set aside a few hours for the visit.
Visit options. For two hours: the library and the courtyard. For half a day: the full circuit and lunch at the brewery. With kids: the Museum of Miniatures and the garden.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.