Strahov Monastery: Theological Hall Library by photosynthesis
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Description
We visited the Strahov Monastery in Prague one day. This is one of two magnificent rooms that make up their library full of ancient manuscripts.
Some info about this room:
"Strahov Monastery is a Premonstratensian abbey founded in 1143 by Bishop Jindrich Zdik, Bishop John of Prague, and Duke Vladislav II.
In 1670 Jeronym Hirnheim, a philosopher and theologian became the abbot of Strahov. His greatest work, which has survived to the present days, was the building of the new library, in the so-called Theological Hall completed in 1679. During the 17th and the early 18th century other abbots continued in the reconstruction of the monastery. They also cared for the church, which was repaired and decorated several times during the given period. The monastery experienced other great building activity namely after the assault of French and Bavarian troops in 1742, when Prague was bombarded and seriously damaged. Then the abbot organized building works again in the course of which the church was rebuilt along with the monastery area.
After 1950, the library was incorporated into the Memorial of National Literature. After 1989 the library was along with the monastery returned to the Premonstratensians. The Strahov Library contains over 200,000 volumes, including over 3,000 manuscripts and 1,500 first prints stored in a special depository."
Although it was an impressive sight & definitely worth a visit, I was a little peeved about one thing. After paying for admission, we found out that we needed to make an additional payment if we wanted a "license" to take photos. Seems like if they allow photos (non-flash, of course) at all, you shouldn't need to pay extra for the privilege. It wasn't the only site that had this kind of policy, though thankfully there weren't too many of them...
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Comments (7)
anahata.c
One would hope, at least, that the extra money they extract from you would be for upkeep and renovation. Who knows. But you don't need flashes if you handle light the way you do: This radiates, in your hands, and it's hard to believe this was originally for monks! I've been in several monasteries, and few of their libraries were as lavish and eye-catching as this...it could be in part that it's now part of a national institution. But man, what a ceiling! And, in your hands, the ceiling is on fire. And it feels like a canopy, with all those curves...The shot is doused in intense reds and yellows---very intense shooting, Claude. (Could you imagine having this as your private 'study'? Like, just off the living room?) A shot that floods us. Very impressive.
T.Rex
Fantastic library and great job photographing it. Rivals what I've seen in the Vatican. The stucco framing of the images add depth to the ceiling in addition to the curves. The photo fee is not too unusual - this occurs in France and Italy, too. The money usually goes to upkeep. A lot of visitors means a lot of wear and tear. Keep up the good work! :-)
durleybeachbum
No shortage of cash in this monastery! Maybe that outlook is how they afforded such luxury in the first place. Super photo.
giulband
Absolutely beautiful picture with a superb atmosphere !!!!!
MrsRatbag
It's certainly lovely enough to justify taking photos, a shame that they don't just increase the admission fee to cover photography too, and just make a statement that no flash is allowed. You got a really excellent POV here!
kgb224
Amazing capture my friend. God bless.
auntietk
What does it say about me, I wonder, that my eye is drawn over and over again to that beautiful floor? All the decorations, the manuscripts and books, those fabulous globes, and I just want to look at the floor. LOL! It's a beautiful room, and one I would have loved to wander through (hands in pockets), but I bet you were standing behind a rope. You put Prague a little higher on my list with every photograph you post!