It is time to say “Bye 2022” and embrace 2023 with new challenges, resolutions and dreams. I hope that we will reflect on the modern values of society- Liberty, Fraternity and Equality with care and love in this new year and years to come, irrespective of any culture, country or race. I always begin any journey with my books – the safest and the most secure pal. I live several lives while reading them.
Books – the safest and the most secure pal.
The Library of Strahov Monastery in Prague
This year will not be different! Today, like last year, where I wrote about the Library of Princeton University, I am going to take you all to one of the world’s most beautiful libraries – The Library of Strahov Monastery in Prague, Czech Republic, which I visited, on a beautiful July afternoon. Prague is one of the prettiest European cities where I heard music spilling down from a violin on the Charles Bridge, and discovered unexpected beauty just about everywhere I looked.
The Library of Strahov Monastery in Prague, Czech Republic – One of the world’s most beautiful libraries!
Philosophical Hall
The first glance after entering the library was a magnificent baroque hall decorated all in wood and a stunning painting above. The name given to this hall is Philosophical Hall. The theme of the fresco on the ceiling is “the intellectual progress of mankind”. It depicts the development of science and religion and the mutual impact on each other and the quest for knowledge.
Philosophical hall, inside the Library of Strahov Monastery.
Inside the library
The corridor outside the hall showcases wooden cabinets and books which we were not suppose to touch (they were from the 18th century). It also has a statue of Lord Buddha. The combination of the smell of wooden furniture, old books and silence has the capability to take the visitors to times long bygone.
The corridor inside The Library of Strahov Monastery
That perfect tranquility of life, which is nowhere to be found but in retreat, a faithful friend and a good library ~ Aphra Behn
The famous writer Franz Kafka (author of Metamorphosis) from Prague once said,
I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound or stab us. If the book we’re reading doesn’t wake us up with a blow to the head, what are we reading for? We need books that affect us like a disaster, that grieve us deeply, like the death of someone we loved more than ourselves, like being banished into forests far from everyone, like a suicide. A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us. That is my belief.
A statue of Lord Buddha, inside the Library of Strahov Monastery
I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound or stab us. If the book we're reading doesn't wake us up with a blow to the head, what are we reading for? #Travel #wanderer #wanderlust #Prague #Books #Library Click To Tweet
Theological Hall
After passing the beautiful corridor we saw the older, but even more beautiful- Theological Hall. It has a statue of St John, the evangelist carrying a travel bag and number of globes.
Theological hall, inside the Library of Strahov Monastery.
Cabinets of Curiosities
Apart from the beautiful Philosophical and Theological Hall, there is a unique cabinet called the Cabinets of Curiosities which are the direct predecessors of modern museums. It has natural science collections – mainly insects, minerals and sea fauna.
Also read: 18 beautiful places in Prague
Cabinets of Curiosities.
Cabinets of Curiosities.
Manuscripts
I was fascinated by the collection of all the manuscripts or the handwritten books from the 16th century. The level of perfection, color usage and drawings in the manuscripts are jaw-dropping.
A manuscript in Strahov Monastery in Prague – One of the world’s most beautiful libraries!
Another beautiful manuscript!
Tip: 2 days itinerary for Prague
Similar articles from Travel Realizations
- The Library of Princeton University – A Paradise!
- The national library of Denmark and Copenhagen university – Black Diamond, one among the world’s five most beautiful libraries
- The EPFL library in Lausanne, Switzerland – A revolutionary architecture!
Travel Realizations
Libraries will always acquire a special place in my blog. The pursuit of knowledge will lead me like always. I believe knowledge is the comprehensive embodiment of imagination that surfaces in observation and finally ripens through the reinforcement of experience thereby inculcating knowledge. This in fact is the short story of life.
I believe knowledge is the comprehensive embodiment of imagination that surfaces in observation and finally ripens through the reinforcement of experience thereby inculcating knowledge. Click To Tweet
Libraries like the Black Diamond in Copenhagen and the EPFL library in Lausanne, Switzerland is beautiful but markedly different in approach from the Strahov Monastery in Prague, and The Library of Princeton University in New Jersey.
The entrance of the Library of Strahov Monastery
Before I end this post, I would like to wish all my readers a very happy new year, with smiles and new hopes. What will lead you?
Get my latest articles in your inbox and join 10,000+ other subscribers!
If you enjoyed reading this article, spread the love!
Pin It!
abak prithibi
wonderful post. great collection.
Haddock
The collection of the manuscript is so well preserved. Hats off to the authorities.
Travel Realizations
Indeed Haddock!
Susan Flett Swiderski
Wow, that has to be one of the most beautiful libraries in the world! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Here's to a very Happy New Year to you and yours. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one. I think curiosity and a perpetual wonder at the unknown keeps us truly alive.
Travel Realizations
True, true, true @Susan!
Snapperoni :: Photography
The library looks so beautiful. The grandiosity of it is breathtaking. I wasn't able to visit the library/monastery in the few days I was in Prague but I hope I do when I come visit again.
I love books but have so little time for it and I end up collecting a lot of un-read, will-read-soon books. I hope I find the time for it in 2015.
I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. Happt New Year!
Travel Realizations
Books are true wonder for our senses! Thanks Snapperoni! I hope, you would visit this library next time when you go to Prague.