The Loreto

The Loreto has been an important place of pilgrimage since its construction in 1626. It was built to promote the legend of Santa Casa of Loreto.

The Bell Tower

This tower houses a carillon  and has been ringing on the hour since 1695!

St Joseph and St John the Baptist stand on the balustrade above the entrance.

Santa Casa in Nazareth is the place where Archangel Gabriel told Mary about the birth of Jesus.It is believed that the house was transported from Nazareth to Loreto in Italy. About 50 replicas were built in Bohemia and this being the grandest is the most famous. 

Church of the Nativity

The Treasury holds a collection of valuable liturgical items. The most famous being the Diamond Monstrance above

Walking down the hill to Loreto

We walked down hill along the winding road towards Loreto.

The staircase up to Strahov

 Loreto in the background

Strahov Gospel Book (Evangeliary)

It is a manuscript from the Early Middle Ages dating back to 860. It is written in Latin and originated from Tours. It  contains the gospels with illuminated portraits of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

This book was opened when Laura Bush visited Strahov in June 2007. However, we were not treated as hospitably as she was.

1440 Jan of Selmberk's Bible

Philosophical Hall

Built in 1782. It now stores more than 42,000 volumes covering themes from philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, history and philology.

The ceiling fresco depicts the Struggle Of Mankind To Know Real History by Franz Maulbertsch

Theological Hall

Completed in 1679. It now stores more than 18,000 volumes. The name derive from the fact  that it contains numerous editions of the Bibles or part thereof in many languages.

It is regrettable that the halls are not open to the public. One has no alternative but to admire them  from the door.

The Strahov Library

There are two halls here, namely, the Philosophical Hall and the Theological Hall.

28.09.2008 at 09:19

It was the date and time when we were there.

Strahov Monastery

This monastery was completed in 1182 by the Premonstratensians (a religious order founded by St Norbert as an independent part of the Catholic Church)

Church of Our Lady

We were unable to go into the church as a service was being held. You can see a man standing at the door turning away church enthusiasts like me!