The Strahov Monastery (Strahovsky klaster) was founded in 1140 by Vladislav and completed in the 17th and 18th centuries. It functioned until the Communist Government closed it. Now it is a working monastery and a museum. Inside is the Church of St. Roch, the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady and the Strahov Picture Gallery. The biggest attraction is the Strahov Library, which is the largest (and more than 800 years old) monastic library in the whole country - this is the main reason for visiting. Once you are there you will also appreciate the best city views from the foot of the Strahov Monastery.

Petrin to Strahov – a walk with great views

Take a funicular railway up to Prague's best picnic spot, Petřín Hill, which is also very popular with joggers, dog-walkers, lovers and families. From here you have magnificent vistas across the 'city of 100 spires', and the panorama gets better as you follow the trail down and around to Strahov Monastery.

Ambling from Petřín to Strahov, you follow an arc above the city until its bridges line up crossing the Vltava River. Follow the upper dirt path or climb the wooden steps from the paved lower path to the semicircular lookout point behind the monastery, where the view is one of the best in Prague.

At the monastery complex, the stunning Strahov Library and the quirky Miniatures Museum await. If you still have energy left, you can continue your walk to the castle.