I am planning a visit in September for our 30th wedding anniversary. I am trying to plan out each day and would appreciate your advice on the Strahov Monastery. I would like to see the libraries but have been reading mixed reviews and comments that even if you purchase a separate ticket, you are still only able to peek in the doorways. IYO is this worth a stop. Also, we would like to see some type of musical performance i am currently looking at 1. Mirror Hall concert at the Klementinium, 2. organ concert at St Francis Church, 3. Church of St Nicolas. Do you have any preference or alternate suggestion? We will be heading to Vienna as well and could save the musical performance for that destination if needed. Thank you, your advice has been so helpful in planning our trip, now I just have to organize each day's activities.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
3061 posts
It is true you can only look through the door at the library - the rooms are beautiful and I enjoyed the curiosities in the cabinets along the hallway (including a dodo bird). IMHO worth a stop, but if you're on the fence I would skip. BTW the beer at the brewery was great, and I enjoyed a nice walk from there to Petrin tower, then took the funicular back down the hill.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4183 posts
I stopped at the library in Strahov on one of my visits to Prague , and did find it worthwhile . Since you are going to Vienna , The Prunksalle ( State Room ) in The Austrian National Library is a must see . You can go inside ,and there is a great deal to see there . https://www.onb.ac.at/museen/prunksaal As far as musical performances , Vienna , of course is wonderful . but you may find performances that interest you in Prague . The quality is very high , and the determining factor should be the programming . Your level of musical sophistication ( read - how advanced are your tastes ? ) will guide your choices . As an aside, if your arrive at the central rail station ( Hlavni Nadrazi ) , listen for train announcements - they are always preceded by the opening melodic motif that starts Smetana's Cycle of tone poems " Ma Vlast " ( My Country ) https://youtu.be/w6jlhLUgER0
Posted by
95 posts
I enjoyed visiting the Strahov Library. Even though you can only view the rooms from the doorway, they are beautiful. Only a few minutes walk from the palace!
Posted by
Prague
466 posts
For the concerts my favourite small-medium venue is the Spanish Synagogue (every day except Saturday). For the bigger venues in churches then ST Clements (Old Town) and ST Nicholas (Lesser Town) would be on my list. For organ music look to see if there is anything on at ST James Basilica.