By Alaric 
Prague is filled with magical attractions and the entire city looks like it’s been plucked from the pages of a fairytale.
But, what may surprise you is that this city also has a stunning collection of Prague libraries that you can visit.
These temples of the written word are a paradise for reading lovers.
You can hop from Baroque masterpieces with precious tomes and artwork to unique book towers with optical illusions.
Although these libraries are all breathtaking, there are lots of things you need to know before you plan on visiting them.
So, here are 4 magical Prague libraries that you can visit with practical tips!
1. Klementinum Library
One of the most beautiful libraries in the entire world is the Klementinum Library in Prague.
The Klementinum is a series of buildings that were originally part of a medieval monastery dedicated to St Clement.
It then became a Jesuit College and the Baroque Library was built around 1722 by Kilián Ignác Dienzenhofer.
Today, you can visit this incredible book temple on a guided tour which you can book in person or online.
I recommend booking early as this is one of the most popular Prague libraries tickets do sell out.
It’s locked away behind closed doors with low lighting to preserve the books and artwork.
They open the doors for only five minutes or so for each tour group! So, make sure to snap your pics while you can.
It’s filled with dark bookshelves, winding columns, astronomical globes, frescoes, and portraits.
It looks like a library from Beauty and the Beast or Hogwarts Library in Harry Potter!
I honestly nearly cried when I saw this as it was like something from a fairytale.
Top tips for visiting the Klementinum Library
- Your Klementinum tour lasts around 50 minutes and includes the library, Meridian Tower and panoramic views of Prague from the Astronomical Tower.
- There is only a lift to get you to the library floor if you require extra accessibility. There are quite a few steep steps to climb to the top tower.
- Book your tickets WELL in advance. There are many tours in Czech and English throughout the day but they do tend to sell out quickly.
- Don’t be shy – you’ll be in a large group and only get to see the library for a short time before the doors close again. So, make sure you get your photos!
Strahov Library
Another one of the most beautiful Prague libraries is the Strahov Library located in an ancient monastery.
It contains two breathtaking Baroque rooms which are the Theological Hall and Philosophical Hall built in the 17th and 18th centuries.
These magical book troves will take your breath away with their ancient tomes, ceiling frescoes, stucco artwork and astronomical globes.
Both look like something from a fairytale and they are honestly a book lovers dream come true.
However, it’s important to know a few things before you visit so you know what to expect and what you’re paying for.
2. Philosophical Hall
The Philosophical Hall was built in the 18th century and was commissioned by Abbot Vaclav Mayer.
An Italian architect, Jan Ignac Palliardi, was hired to build the library on the site of the old monastery granary. The facade was built in 1794-1797 and it was filled with books.
Although many of the higher tomes are only accessible via the gallery, there is a hidden spiral staircase masked with fake book spines.
On the ceiling, you’ll see a frescos called ‘Intellectual Progress of Mankind and it tells the story of the developments of science and religion.
There are characters featured from the Old Testament such as Moses, Ada, Eve, Cain, Abel, Noah and Solomon.
Also, you’ll see Wenceslas, the Patron Saint of Bohemia, in the right-hand corner.
Although it was located in a monastery, it was very popular with tourists in the 18th and 19th centuries. But, women were only allowed limited access.
There are over 42,000 books in the Philosophical Hall and you can find subjects in mathematics, history, astronomy and philology.
It was breathtaking and one of my favourite Prague libraries. I would have given anything to climb one of the book ladders here.
Fun fact this library featured in series 2 of Outlander as the Palace of Versailles. This is where Jamie is playing chess with Joseph Duverney, and where the Comte St. Germain poisons Claire!
3. Theological Hall
The Theological Hall was built during the office of Abbot Jeronym Hirnhaim in the 17th century.
An Italian architect, Giovanni Domenico Orsi, was hired to create the Baroque stucco cartouche work you can see on the ceiling.
All of the library shelves, statues, terrestrial and astronomical globes inside date back to the 17th century.
You’ll also see a Gothic wooden statue of St John the Evangelist at the front.
In the 18th century, after the 100th anniversary of the remains of St Norbert, the library was extended and the artist Siard Nosecky painted the frescos on the walls.
There are over 20,000 volumes in the Theological Hall. Many of these are religious texts in different languages.
Although much of the library’s books and contents are originals, some of the shelves and wooden panelling are a reconstruction from the 20th century.
This room is honestly stunning, the stucco ceiling and cartouche paintings are breathtaking.
I loved all the gold features and it would be such a dream to read a book in here. Alas, you can only peek in through a small window.
Practical information for visiting Strahov Library
- You can now buy tickets online in advance and also in the visitor centre at the front of the monastery.
- You cannot enter the library rooms with a standard ticket. You’ll be peeking through a window into the libraries which are roped off and sometimes there are tour groups and/or musicians who’ll be inside.
- No audio guides are provided but the staff will approach you to give you a laminated piece of paper with a translation of the history. They had many languages.
- There is more to see than just the library rooms, they have precious books and a cabinet of curiosities.
- Don’t skip the Strahov Monastery Brewery just outside as they serve up incredible beers and lunch!
4. Prague Municipal Library
Just around the corner from the Klementinum complex, you can visit the Prague Municipal Library.
Unlike the other Prague libraries in this guide, this is a public library and open to anyone. It’s also completely FREE and you don’t need to book a tour.
It’s like a sanctuary from the busy streets outside and I loved wandering around the different reading rooms.
However, the most popular thing to do inside is to visit the Infinity Book Tower or Prague Book Tunnel.
This is also called ‘Idiom’ which is an optical illusion and artwork. You can find it at the entrance.
Prague Book Tunnel
The Infinity Book Tower in Prague, the Column of Knowledge or the Prague Book Tunnel seems to have a lot of nicknames but this incredible art installation is actually called ‘Idiom’.
It’s a huge book tower made up of 8,000 stacked books and was built in 1998 by a Slovak artist called Matej Kren who lives and works in Prague.
Every book that was used for the installation was either donated or saved from being thrown away.
There is a tear-shaped opening that allows you to look inside the tower and see an optical illusion of a seemingly infinite number of books!
It was originally showcased at the 1995 Sao Paulo Biennial Exhibition until it found a permanent home at the Prague Municipal Library.
It’s been featured in Science Magazines and now is a social media sensation on platforms like TikTok.
Today, it sees thousands of visitors every year. There’s always a queue of bibliophiles who want to enjoy this bookish illusion!
Top tips for visiting Prague Municipal Library
- Visiting is FREE and you don’t need to pre-book a ticket.
- There are long queues for the book tunnel but you can walk straight into the library if you don’t want to see the book tower.
- Queues can be incredibly long so I would get here earlier in the morning for a shorter wait.
- You’re allowed to take as many photos/videos as you like but they ask that you don’t use tripods.
Don’t skip these magical Prague libraries
Visiting this gorgeous list of libraries in Prague was truly the highlight of my visit to the Czech Republic.
As an avid reader and lover of fairytales, visiting these book troves was a dream come true!
Although it does take a bit of organising to visit them all, it’s well worth doing as you’ll be rewarded for your efforts.
Don’t skip visiting these Prague libraries on your next visit to the Czech Republic. They are a haven for bibliophiles and you won’t regret a thing.
Looking for more bookish things to do in Prague?
You really can’t escape references to Franz Kafka in Prague, a Modernist Bohemian author who was based in the city.
He wrote famous books like ‘The Metamorphosis’ and ‘The Trial’ and there are many sites where you can find out more about his life in the city.
The most famous attraction is the Kafka Museum and it’s an existential exhibition that takes you on a journey into the world of Kafka – it is very trippy!
Don’t forget to take a picture with the famous ‘peeing statues’ outside. Or, visit the Kafka rotating head on Nové Město.
As its name suggests, it’s a modern artwork of Franz Kafka’s head that rotates every 15 minutes. It’s huge and weighs over 39 tons.
Personally, one of my favourite Kafka sites is his tiny blue house at Number 22, Golden Lane. It’s now a bookshop and you can visit as part of a Prague Castle tour!
There are also lots of English bookshops like Shakespeare Bookstore that you can visit if you want to buy books.
Honestly, this city is a paradise for reading lovers and you’ll find many literary things to do!
Read more of my Czech Republic travel guides
How to Find the John Lennon Wall in Prague
How to visit the Bone Church of Kutna Hora
How to find the magical Cloak Bridge in Cesky Krumlov
The mysteries of the curious Dripstone Wall in Prague
How to visit the Dancing House in Prague
The Oldest Tavern in Prague is U Krále Brabantského
Save these magical Prague Libraries for later!
