But with so many things to see and do and doubtlessly little time to do it in, making an itinerary can be overwhelming. That’s why I’ve created this fantastic one-day itinerary for bibliophiles to explore the best of Literary London. It will take you across the city to explore a mixture of locations novels inspired beautiful book shops, literary homes, writer’s haunts and more. With just one day in the city, you can still pack in plenty of literary sights and experiences. So come with me now on this extraordinary book lover’s guide to London!

Table Of Contents

1. Map of Walking Tour
2. 8:00 am: Discover Platform 9 3/4 in King's Cross Station
3. 9:00 am: Breakfast at The Betjeman Arms
4. 10:00 am: Discover Treasure inside the British Library
   • British Library Collection
5. 11:00 am: Garden Walk through Bloomsbury
6. The Foundling Museum
7. 11:30 am Uncover Secrets inside the Charles Dickens Museum
8. 12:30 pm: Luncheon at The Lamb
9. 1:30 pm The London Review Bookshop
10. 2:30 pm Walk Through Seven Dials
11. 3:00 pm Cecil Court
12. 4:00 pm Sherlock Holmes Pub
13. 4:30 pm Great Scotland Yard
14. 5:00 pm Crossing the Thames River
15. 6:00 pm: Admire the Theatrics at Shakespeare's Globe
16. 9:00 pm Drinks at The George Inn

Map of Walking Tour

8:00 am: Discover Platform 9 3/4 in King’s Cross Station

Start your tour inside King’s Cross Station. Visiting Kings Cross is essential for any book lover visiting London. And as an added bonus, King Cross is a central hub for the underground. Making it an easy journey wherever you are based in London. Almost everyone who has read (or even heard of the Harry Potter series) knows how important the setting of this train station is in the book.

King Cross station served as the setting for Platform 9¾, the magical platform where Hogwarts students catch the Hogwarts Express. Inside King Cross station is a replica of Platform 9¾ outside the Harry Potter Shop Gift Shop. Here you can take your photo with a disappearing trolley headed straight into the wall. Just like in the book!

Getting here extra early is key as the queue to get your photo taken can get over an hour long. But, if you prefer to avoid tourists, simply walking around the station is a dream for book lovers. Exploring the train station places you right inside this iconic setting. I love grabbing a coffee from any nearby cafe and watching commuters rushing about the busy station.

9:00 am: Breakfast at The Betjeman Arms

If you prefer to grab a full sit-down breakfast, they have over the Betjeman Arms. The Betjeman Arms is a charming and cozy pub inside the neighbouring St. Pancras International Station. The pub was named after the famous poet Sir John Betjeman. Betjeman was a passionate advocate for preserving the city’s historic Victorian architecture. And even had a hand in helping to save St Pancras railway station from demolition. The pub’s decor and atmosphere pay homage to his love of Victorian design. If you can book a reservation in advance, ask for a table on the Euston Terrace overlooking King’s Cross.

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The menu at the Betjeman Arms offers a selection of traditional British food. If you’ve never had a full English breakfast, this is where to do it! It comes with beer & treacle smoked bacon, Cumberland sausages, fried egg, roasted tomato, chestnut mushrooms, hash browns, and baked beans. At
£13.50 it’s a pretty reasonable price for a huge breakie.

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10:00 am: Discover Treasure inside the British Library

After breakfast, it’s time to head to the British Library! The British Library is located along Euston Street, just a minute down the road from the Betjeman Arms. Many people don’t know that the British Library isn’t just a place for reading and borrowing books. The building contains a little museum that exhibits “Treasures of the British Library.” This collection features some of the most remarkable books, manuscripts, and historical documents. The main exhibit hall is free to enter, but there are new exhibitions throughout the year that you can visit by buying a ticket.

British Library Collection

Highlights of the British Library Collection include the original manuscripts of Jane Austen‘s novels, first editions of Shakespeare’s plays, handwritten lyrics by The Beatles and a Gutenberg Bible. One of my favourite parts of the exhibition is the gorgeous illuminated manuscripts, religious texts, and detailed medieval maps. All are gilded in 24-carat gold and brilliantly coloured hand-painted illustrations. It’s amazing to see how vibrant they still are even after hundreds of years. Original sketches by Mervyn Peake, the author of Gormenghast, sit behind glass. I adored this book as a teenager. And seeing the sketches, Peake dreamed up for his characters was wildly exciting and nostalgic.

But most impressively, it is here where you can view the original Magna Carta. The Magna Carta is an enormous document signed by King John of England in 1215. It is considered one of the most important legal documents in history. It established that everyone, including the King, is subject to the law. Seeing it in person and the King’s giant wax seal, almost the size of a dinner plate, was amazingly impressive.

11:00 am: Garden Walk through Bloomsbury

After you’ve had your fill with historical manuscripts, it’s time to walk over to the Charles Dickens Museum in Bloomsbury. It’s only a 15-minute walk from Euston Street. The path takes you through the peaceful St. George’s Gardens, Brunswick Square Gardens, and the old Foundling Hospital.

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The Foundling Museum

The Foundling Museum in London is dedicated to the history of the 18th-century Foundling Hospital. One of the first charities established in England to care for abandoned children. Writer Charles Dickens often used the institution and its children as inspiration for his fictional work. Since he lived so close by, he was also a great supporter of the Hospital. He even rented a pew in the Hospital Chapel through which he could make donations to support the hospital’s efforts. His stage play, No Thoroughfare, featured a main character called Walter Wilding, who was raised in the Hospital’s care. Dickens himself led a life that could have resulted in him being cared for by this kind of organization. And he never forgot it. And never took that for granted.

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11:30 am Uncover Secrets inside the Charles Dickens Museum

The Charles Dickens Museum is set inside the original Dickens family home at #48 Doughty Street. Dickens and his first wife lived here from 1837 to 1839. Stepping inside, you find the Dickens home almost as if they had just stepped out the front door. Visitors can explore the house’s many rooms, restored to their original 19th-century appearance. And get a sense of what life was like for Dickens and his family.

The collection includes many artifacts related to Dickens’s life and writing. Including manuscripts, letters, and personal items. You can even explore Dickens’ home office, which has been carefully preserved. His old writing desk and chair still sit as if waiting for him to return. It was here he penned some of his most famous works, including “Oliver Twist” and “Nicholas Nickleby.”

12:30 pm: Luncheon at The Lamb

For lunch, head to The Lamb, a historic pub just four minutes east of the museum, on Guildford Place. The Lamb Pub was originally built in the 1720s as a coaching inn for travellers. And its location near the British Museum made it a popular spot for scholars and academics. As a local to the area, Charles Dickens was known to frequent the pub. Perhaps coming here after a long day of writing to relax and unwind.

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In the late 18th century, the pub became a hub for political radicals and intellectuals. This included members of the Bloomsbury Group. They were a circle of writers, artists, and thinkers whose members were made up of Virginia Woolf, E.M. Forster, and John Maynard Keynes. The group often met at the Lamb to discuss their ideas and hold literary salons.

Today, the Lamb Pub is a popular neighbourhood watering hole and a beloved piece of Bloomsbury’s rich cultural heritage. Its walls are adorned with historical artifacts and memorabilia, providing a glimpse into its storied past. And mementos of the many important figures passing through its doors. The pub serves traditional British fare and has a cozy, old-world atmosphere. You’ve got to have beer-battered fish with triple-cooked chips, pea puree and tartare sauce to complete this British experience.

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1:30 pm The London Review Bookshop

Don’t overeat because you want to save some room for dessert! Walk along Great Ormond Street and Bloomsbury Square to the London Review Bookshop. Yes, that’s right, dessert inside a bookshop! The dream of dreams. The London Review Book is also home to a Cake Shop inside their charming and cozy interior. This delightful café is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a delicious sweet treat.

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Upon entering the café, visitors are greeted with the scent of freshly baked cakes and pastries. And the warm and welcoming atmosphere invites them to stay awhile. The London Review Cake Shop menu features an array of delectable treats, ranging from classic sponge cakes to more exotic delights like cardamom and rosewater cake. Find a great book to buy and sit outside in their courtyard with a delicious slice of cake. It’s the perfect way to spend a quiet afternoon.

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2:30 pm Walk Through Seven Dials

After you’re done, take a walk 15-minutes south along Monmouth Street. I know there is a tube station nearby but you’d only be taking it one-stop. And trust me, the walk is a great opportunity to see the historic neighbourhood of Seven Dials. The Seven Dials area gets its name from the distinctive layout of seven intersecting streets, which converge around a central pillar. The area has a rich literary history, home to many famous writers and poets. Charles Dickens, in particular, had a strong connection to the Seven Dials. He used it as a setting for several of his novels, including “Sketches by Boz” and “Oliver Twist.“

3:00 pm Cecil Court

Make your way onto Cecil Court. Cecil Court is a narrow, pedestrian-only street called the “Booksellers’ Row.” Here is where you’ll find a variety of independent bookshops that line the cobblestone alley. The area dates back to the 17th century, and the original shopfronts are set inside quaint Victorian-era buildings.

Cecil Court is where one can easily spend hours browsing the shelves, discovering rare and unusual titles. The bookshops in Cecil Court are staffed by knowledgeable and passionate booksellers who are always happy to recommend titles or offer insights into the area’s history. Shopping here is almost like going inside tiny museums. Their collections a treat to simply browse through.

4:00 pm Sherlock Holmes Pub

Before heading across the river, let’s quickly stop for a pint inside the Sherlock Holmes Pub. Walking along Charing Cross Road towards the Strand, where you’ll find the Sherlock Holmes Pub on Northumberland Street. The Sherlock Holmes Pub is a hot spot for fans of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle‘s famous detective. The pub is spread over two floors, with the ground floor serving as the main bar area, while the upper floor is a restaurant. And mini exhibition hall.

The upstairs is home to a small recreation of Holmes’ famous Baker Street flat, which includes some rare memorabilia. But throughout the pub, you’ll find Victorian decor, wood panelling, and Sherlockiana. Even if you just want to pop in for a pint, you can check out the upstairs area without booking a reservation for dinner. Tell them you just want a look, and they’ll happily let you inside.

4:30 pm Great Scotland Yard

Crossing Northumberland street, jet over to neighbouring Great Scotland Yard. The street’s name derives from the 17th century when the area was home to the royal residence of visiting Scottish kings and queens. Effectively the Scottish Embassy. But perhaps the most famous literary connection to Great Scotland Yard is the fact that it was the location of the original headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service. Established here in 1829. And who is the most famous British detective who would have worked out of Scotland Yard? You guessed it, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes would have called this place home were he not, in fact, a fictional character.

5:00 pm Crossing the Thames River

Our final destination is at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre which can be found across the River Thames along the Southbank. To get there, you can take the tube from Embankment underground station on the Circle or District Line, three stops to Mansion House station. Then just walk across Southwark Bridge to Shakespeare’s Globe.

But if you’re looking for a more fun and scenic way to get to the Globe, consider taking a boat! Embankment Pier is just a few minutes from Great Scotland Yard, where you can hop on the Thames Clipper. This isn’t a “River Cruise” or “Boat Cruise” but a public transport service along the water.

Tickets

You can use contactless payment with your Oyster card to buy a single ticket. Using your Oyster card, a single ticket to Bankside station will cost £5.20. If you have the Uber app installed on your phone, you can buy tickets directly through their app. If you don’t have either not to worry, you can buy tickets at the ticket office or ticket machines inside the station. These tickets cost £5.70, so you do save some money if you have the app or use an Oyster card. While £5 is more expensive than riding the tube, the 10-minute ride along the Thames river is an amazing way to see the city skyline and riverside buildings.

6:00 pm: Admire the Theatrics at Shakespeare’s Globe

The most famous of all British writers is doubtlessly William Shakespeare! And ending your day here at Shakespeare’s Globe in Southwark feels like a perfect epilogue to your storied visit to London. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is a reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre, built in 1599. The original Globe was the primary performance venue for William Shakespeare’s plays. The modern reconstruction was opened in 1997 after more than two decades of planning and construction. The construction of the new Globe took so long because they wanted to use historic equipment and techniques in remaking the historic landmark. The few modern additions were a state-of-the-art sprinkler system to ensure the thatch roof didn’t burn down, destroying the building again.

The result is an incredibly faithful reconstruction of the original theatre. Giving visitors a glimpse into the theatrical world of Shakespeare’s time. The theatre is an open-air venue with a circular stage surrounded by seating for the audience. The stage is uncovered, and performances occur in natural light during the day, just as they would have done in the 16th and 17th centuries.

But there are also night performances under modern flood lighting. While I loved the experience of seeing a play in the day without the use of modern technology, it didn’t feel atmospheric. There is something more immersive about the evening performance, where the rest of the theatre seems to disappear, and you can focus on the actors in front of you.

Tickets to the Globe Theatre

You can even purchase a standing-room ticket in the “Yard’, just like the poorest London citizens would have bought in the 16th century to ensure they got to see the latest Shakespearean production. There are also seated tickets in the lower, middle or upper galleries. Tickets in the Yard start at only £5.00, and seated tickets start at £25. I would advise you to go for the seated tickets after a long day of pounding the pavement around London. Relax and enjoy a production of one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays in this historic landmark.

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9:00 pm Drinks at The George Inn

If you have any energy left, you can head to the George Inn for a late-night pint of beer! This historic pub is just 10 minutes from the Globe and dates back to the 17th century! It is the only surviving galleried coaching inn in London. It was named ‘Shakespeare’s Local,’ as the George Inn was a popular gathering place for actors and playwrights from the Globe during the Elizabethan era. Including Shakespeare himself!

In the 19th century, Charles Dickens referred to the George Inn in his novel “Little Dorrit,” describing it as a place where characters would gather for a drink and discuss their trials and tribulations. Today, the pub has indoor and outdoor seating area, making it one of my favourite spots to come in the summertime to enjoy a beer under the warm night sky. It really is the perfect spot to finish a gorgeous day exploring London literary history.

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And that’s a wrap, book lovers! We hope this one-day literary tour of London has inspired you to explore more of the city’s rich literary history and immerse yourself in its vibrant book culture. There are dozen of other amazing bookshops and libraries to discover if you have more time in this incredible city! So go out, and explore, but don’t forget to bring a good book!

Happy Travels, Adventurers.

The post The Ultimate Literary Tour of London: A Biblophile’s Dream One-Day Itinerary first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Table Of Contents

1. History
2. Access
3. Brewery
4. Admission
5. Viewing Gallery
   • Medieval Monastery
6. The Grand Philosophical Hall
   • Intellectual Progress of Mankind
7. Cabinets of Curiosities
8. The Theological Hall
   • Murals in the Theological Hall
   • St John the Evangelist

History

The Strahov Monastery was first established in 1140. Throughout the years it was destroyed and rebuilt, time after time, war after war. Many of their precious books were stolen, and despite this, every time they rebuilt it, they sought to rebuild their libraries, even grander. Creating a space of importance and preservation for the tombs within. Today, the Monastery and the library stand as a jewel of the Baroque era. Even from afar their bright red-tiled roofs and copper spires, aged to a brilliant teal colour, contrast the grey skies.

Access

To get to the library, walk across the Charles Bridge to board the #22 Tram and ride it to the stop ‘Pohořelec’. From this stop it’s only a 5 minute walk downhill to get to the library. Alternatively, take in the monastery as a part of my Petrin Hill Self-Guided Walking Tour!

Brewery

As you ascend the hill towards the main building, you first pass another piece of the Monastery’s history; its brewery. This brewery was established in the 1600’s, and the monks would work and produce beer to create income their order. Even today you can visit the brewery and drink a glass sitting in their scenic beer garden. We made sure to make a pit stop here before heading to the library. Like all beer in Prague, it is cheap and delicious! And the view is unbeatable, look out over the valley and across to Prague Castle.

Admission

The entry price for visiting the Library and Pictures gallery is CZK 120, and there is a small photo fee if you want to take pictures. While some people complain about this cost, I love this feature. Some places don’t let you take pictures at all, but here, by charging a small fee, it can control the cameras in the museum and helps bring in a little more money to ensure proper preservation the delicate pages inside against those harsh flashes that people inevitably use. The library is open daily from 9am to 5pm (with a one hour lunch break from 12pm-1pm when it is closed). Last admission 30 minutes before closing.

The library has three parts which visitors can explore. The Grand Philosophical Hall, The Baroque Theological Hall and the Cabinets of Curiosities. After paying admission to a surely looking Czech woman inside an ancient wooden toll booth, you are allowed to head the old stone staricase towards the library.

Viewing Gallery

The first room you enter inside the Monastery is the Viewing Gallery. This room contains dozens of timeworn books, preserved in glass cases. The most important, beautiful and rare book of the collection, as well as one of the oldest, is the Strahov codex. The codex was rebound with red velvet in around 1180 and decorated with four enamel Romanesque carvings and six large red and white crystals. A sculpture of Christ on the Cross, Our Lady and St John, along with four silver Renaissance medallions of the evangelists were also added to create one of the most stunning book covers I’ve ever seen.

Behind the glass in the other cabinets, you can see the masterful art works within the pages of this book. This codex older than the Czech state itself, dating from 860-865. There are between 980 and 985 full page drawings of the evangelists. The illustrations contained within were painted by some of the great masters of book illustrations in the Ottoman empire.

Medieval Monastery

In medieval times, before the printing press, the only way of getting text into books was to write it by hand. This was mostly done by Monks of the order. Since these Bibles and Holy tombs were handmade, they were extremely expensive. But they were most than just words; they were works of art. So much time, care and artistry were put into each unique treasure. The monks were incredibly talented, and each of the tiny painted scenes hidden on each piece of parchment brought the story alive to the readers. In addition to the codex, there are various other illustrated books from the medieval period depicting subjects like religion, mythology and even geography inside the glass cases in the entry.

The Grand Philosophical Hall

The Grand Philosophical Hall is the jewel of the monastery. Looking from floor to ceiling at this ornately designed library will literally take your breath away. It contains over 42,000 ancient philosophical texts, sprawling along the room like a wave of knowledge. The room was designed in 1794 by Jan Ignác Palliardi, an Italian architect living in Bohemia. He used elements of the previous, smaller library, when creating his final vision. This preserved the beautiful old walnut interior for the previous library.

The sheer size of this library is what first hits you. It is 32 meters long, 22 meters wide, with a ceiling height of 14 meters. Your eyes are not doubted drawn right up to the bright and action packed frescos above. These were done by the Viennese painter Anton Maulbertsch, who spent over six months working with only one other artist to complete the stunning scene.

Intellectual Progress of Mankind

The painting depicts the ‘Intellectual Progress of Mankind’ and shows developments in science and religion, and their mutual impact on each other. It also represents man’s quest for knowledge and his drive to learn the secrets of the universe. We can see Noah building the ark, Cain and Abel as well as the evolution of Greek civilization. There are philosophers standing guard; Socrates and Diogenes as well as leaders like Alexander the Great. There are two levels to the library. The main level with rolling staircase to access the books at the very top of the shelves, and a gallery only accessible from a hidden spiral staircase. The staircase looks like the spines of books but is, in fact, simply painted onto the wooden door.

Cabinets of Curiosities

Between the Philosophers hall and the theological hall, you’ll come across various cabinets of curiosities. This particular collection was from the estate of Karel Jan Erben, brought to the monastery in 1798. These cabinets are tiny museums. Wealthy collectors had the ability to buy different items that interested or amused them and assemble it all together in these gilded cabinets. They would then invite friends over to admire their collection and tell stories about the various pieces within. To these people, it was the height of entertainment.

In the Renaissance when these cabinets first began to pop-up, the most popular items in the collections were mysterious or remarkable objects. Then, obsession moved onto natural sciences, like collections of sea fauna. There were insect collections, mineral samples, and wax replicas of fruit. One of rarest things in the collection is the prepared remains of, the now extinct, Dodo bird. There are weapons and armour from Bohemia as well as ceramics, sculptures and more. One of my favourite cabinets contains a ‘dendrology’ library. 68 volumes prepared by Karel of Hinterlagen from around 1825 full of different types of wood! Seems pretty dull but I love when people have something, even something mundane, that they are obsessed with.

The Theological Hall

The Theological Hall is down the long hallway from the Philosopher’s Hall. This gallery contains over 18,000 religious texts. Many of the books included are rare volumes seen only by the monks and approved scholars. The room is named ‘Theological Hall’ after the fact that it contains nothing but different editions of the Bible or parts of the Bible in all different languages. The Theological Hall was built in 1671 by architect Giovanni Domennico Orsi, a Prague burgher of Italian origin. The Italian influence can be seen throughout the design of the library, especially in all the stucco touches above the shelves.

The bookshelves are gilded wood with carved decoration. The use of red throughout related to the ‘sacred’ as these books were considered some of the most sacred things in their time. Although we look at the use of upright shelves in the library as the norm now, Baroque designers were the first ones to use the upright shelf design compared to the Gothic desk system or Romanesque treasury system.

Murals in the Theological Hall

Above the shelves of the Theological Hall are gilded wooded-carved decorations inside wooden cartouches. These functioned as a sort of early card cataloguing system. The pictures in the wooden cartouches specified the type of literature stored on the shelves below. Above all the shelves is magnificently painted fresco. The mural portrays the ethos of the library that a person with great faith must also build on his knowledge and provide education for those who need it, sharing his learned knowledge with the world. There is a piece of script carved into the iron gates on the other side of the library which states INITIUM SAPIENTIAE TIMOR DOMINI (the beginning of wisdom is fear of God.) Along the centre of the room are a series of 17th-century geographical and astronomical globes.

St John the Evangelist

One of the most important objects in the room is the late-Gothic wooden statue of St John the Evangelist. In his left hand, he holds a real ‘girdle-book’. These girdles were used as carrying cases for the treasured objects, in this case, books, as people travelled from city to city, reading to the common folk. The beautifully stitched and sewn carving of the girdle depicts the care that was taken in the protection of books in the medieval area. So much time and effort was taken into creating them; you had to be so careful when taking them out of the libraries arms.

The Strahov Monastery Library is one of those places that is often overlooked by the majority of travellers who come to Prague, so even if you’re not a bibliophile, this is a perfect place to soak in some beautiful architecture, gorgeous art and escape the crowds. If only for a moment.

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About the Rijksmuseum Research Library

The Rijksmuseum Research Library is the definition of “architecture porn.” It is the crown jewel of the Netherlands’ art history collection. Books and ephemera have been collected since 1885 for the group and include catalogues from auctions and exhibitions, periodicals and annual reports, photography, iconography, Indian miniatures, Chinese paintings and bronzes, as well as Japanese prints and sculptures. The library was built along with the rest of the museum in 1885 by Pierre Cuypers in Renaissance and Gothic architectural styles. The decorative embellishments are still seen in the wrought iron railings and swirling staircase.

The museum staff use the library daily, researching some of the more obscure pieces of the museum’s collection or other art history artifacts they received. This isn’t just a beautiful building but a functional one where the museum’s day-to-day operations occur. The library has a buzz to it, much like any office but set in a Gothic, court-like setting.

Opening Hours & Access

The library is open to visitors Monday to Friday, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed on weekends and public holidays. The library is free to visit and does not require a ticket. However, you will need to register in advance to use the reading room.

How To Borrow a Book

If you want to visit the library and take out a book, all you need is a Photo ID to register for a library card. But be aware that some books cannot leave the library. You can check online to see if the book you’re interested in is available for borrowing.

External visitors (tourists) are not permitted to borrow books or periodicals. But you can still browse the collection and read the books while you’re in town. On request, some items can be scanned, so you can take a piece of a book home with you if you are so inclined. They have gone out of their way to ensure this information is available to everyone, and more people can learn more about art and history!

About the Collection

There are about 400,000 volumes in the collection. The online web catalogue contains about 300,000 monographs, 3,400 periodicals and 40,000 art sales catalogues. And there are still about 50,000 art sales catalogues published before 1989 that have yet to be entered into the system.

The Rijksmuseum museum and library just finished undergoing extensive renovations, and as a result, has created a special reading room for visitors. Creative Adventurers are encouraged to come into the reading room to read items from the library since they cannot borrow them. The reading room also has a comprehensive collection of historical reference books. A staff member is on hand inside to answer any questions you might have about the collections or the library itself. This is such a great resource, so don’t miss out on this opportunity if you are interested in art history.

The Rijksmuseum Research Library is a must for anyone interested in art and culture, offering a unique opportunity to explore the collections and research projects of one of the world’s leading museums.

Happy Travels, Adventurers

The post Guide to Visiting and Exploring the Rijksmuseum Research Library, One of the Most Beautiful Libraries in the World first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

The Klementinum is a large building complex that stretches across an entire city block. Since the 15th century, astronomers, scientists, philosophers and musicians have poured through its door to study the precious books inside. These great men of science and art came together here. Each influenced the other and developed some of the modern era’s most incredible inventions. The Klementinum is home to several important institutions, including the National Library of the Czech Republic. But it is also an architectural and cultural treasure. With its stunning Baroque facade, beautiful courtyards, and intricate decoration, the Klementinum is a true feast for the eyes. So, join us as we discover the hidden gems and hidden stories of this beautiful complex.

Table Of Contents

1. Access & Admission
2. History
3. Great Mirror Chapel
4. 2nd Floor
5. The Great Library
6. The Bookshelves
7. Globes
8. The Meridian Hall
9. Viewpoint

Access & Admission

The only way to get into the libraries is by a guided tour (unless you’re a Czech scholar). These run about every hour and are worth every penny! For tour times and hours, visit their website.

To find the entrance to the tour, you walk through a small set of wooden doors near the church. Inside you will see a ticket booth with a cramped employee sitting behind the glass. After purchasing your ticket, you wait for your tour guide. Once they arrive, you’ll be whisked off throughout this gorgeous building.

Tickets cost: 300 Kc for Adults ($13 USD), 200 Kc ($9 USD) for Students and Seniors and children are free.

History

The Klementinum dates all the way back to the 11th century. It was formerly a tiny chapel dedicated to Saint Clement run by Dominican monks. The Hapsburg Emperor Ferdinand I wanted to help increase his power within the Roman Catholic Church and in Bohemia (now Prague). To do this, he invited the Jesuits into his city.

Wanting to make them feel more at home and give them some sense of importance, the Emperor gifted them the building now known as the Klementinum. It had a prime location, right across from the Charles Bridge, and was an excellent gift for the order.

In 1556, the library’s development began. By 1653 they had managed to build one of the most significant collections of books and the literary material in Europe. When the entire library was finished, it was the most massive building in Prague, after Prague Castle. Eventually, the Jesuits fell out with the Pope. So in 1773, the library was given over to Prague’s people and became a part of Charles University.

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Great Mirror Chapel

The first room that the guide will take you into is the Great Mirror Chapel. The architecture of the Klementinum varies from room to room, as different parts of the building were built during different periods. This room, however, is an excellent example of Baroque architecture. The Mirror Chapel was built in 1724 and features ornate frescoes, mirrors, the ceiling, and intricate gilded stucco. The rust-coloured walls and peach-painted ceiling are a unique touch. They make the chamber glow and make the visitor feel warm and cozy.

The faux marble columns along the walls each contain a beautifully framed work of art. These works of art were primarily created by Jan Hiebl, a Czech artist of little note. But Hiebl made a significant impression on the people who visit this chapel. One of the most important things to look at here is the two organs. The first was played by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on his visits to the Klementinum.

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This chapel can also be visited if you buy tickets to one of their “Classical Concerts.” These concerts are a fantastic option for visiting the Klementinum outside a guided tour. You will be treated to music from the 18th century played on the historic organ during the show. Usually performed by gifted local musicians. The very same organ played by Mozart himself now hosts new talented musicians hoping to become the following great composer!

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2nd Floor

After soaking in all the beauty inside the chapel, your guide leads up the first set of narrow stairs to the 2nd floor. This is where the historic library is housed. On the way to the library, you pass by various glass cabinets of curiosity. These different house instruments are used by astronomers to explore the skies, track weather and map constellations.

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The corridor is covered in ornate stucco, and the ceiling contains frescoes. Each scene is drawn from prominent literary writings, like echoes of the past, leading you down toward your destination.

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Although you can’t walk inside the library and pick up any books, there are various special volumes under the glass. These examples give you a glimpse of the books you’d find on the shelves within. Each one is masterfully handpainted with perfect calligraphy and illustration on every page. Monks would spend a lifetime creating a few copies of the same book. They would disperse the copies to only a few prestigious libraries worldwide.

The Great Library

As the guide leads you to the only open set of doors, you will be immediately taken aback by the tremendous amount of things to look at inside the Great Library. The shelves housing over 20,000 books from the early 17th century onwards are a stunning display. There is a sea of baroque finishings washing over the walls.

The ceiling features a large fresco, an original part of 18th-century design. The paintings on the ceiling depict the Temple of Wisdom, a city from Greek Mythology, which was thought to have housed thousands of theological volumes dating back to 1600. Jan Hiebl, the same artist who painted the frescos in the Mirror Chapel, also did these frescos. He uses light and shadow to create a domed effect even on the flat ceiling. Hiebl spent tireless hours giving the illusion of natural sunlight pouring into space despite natural light being restricted to protect the books from damage.

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The Bookshelves

The bookshelves are carved from stunning dark wood, which shines even in the dim light. Some columns are carved into spirals, topped off with gold capitals. Above the tops of each bookshelf are golden frames with the names of prominent Jesuits inscribed on them. These Jesuits were the people who helped build this impressive library.

The books in the collection consist mainly of theological volumes in various foreign languages. It also contains a Mozartiana, a book about the life of Tycho Brahe and Comenius. You’d also find historical examples of famous Czech literature. Some of the collections’ books are so rare and unique that they have been given to Google to be digitally preserved online for everyone to see.

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Globes

In the centre of the room are various globes of different sizes, displaying historical diagrams and maps of the world. You can see how opinions have changed throughout the years on the map of the world. The shapes of continents would grow or shrink based on the newest technology or information. There are also several sets of celestial globes to be found here. Celestial spheres show the position of the stars in the sky.

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The Meridian Hall

Although you might not want to leave, eventually, the tour guide must move on. You are taken to the next floor, which contains Meridian Hall. The Meridian Hall was an invention designed to determine and mark twelve noon. When the scientists inside would see that noon had come (based on their instruments), they would ring the bells from the top of the bell tower. This would indicate to the rest of the town that it was midday. Alongside the Meridian Hall is several weather recording devices that note the temperature as early as 1775. These are even still used today to continue to record the weather.

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Viewpoint

You can mount the final, very narrow, rickety set of stairs to walk out onto the bell tower. You must climb up 172 steps to get to the top of the building. But you’ll be rewarded with a stunning 360° view of Prague’s red-topped roofs.

Being up here helps you understand where everything is in Prague. You can see all the important landmarks, and bronze diagrams help identify all the famous buildings you’re looking down at. This was so helpful since we’d see something far off in the distance and want to make a note of tracking it down once back on land.

Seeing as the tour group is so small, you have this view all to yourself once the group spreads out. It was so romantic and truly an oasis of serenity in a city which can be overwhelming and full of tourists.

A massive bronze sculpture of Atlas holds up the world on the very top of the bell tower. On our way out, we looked at the top of the tower from where we were once standing. The Klementinum and the Strahov Monastery are my two favourite landmarks in Prague. You MUST visit them if you’re ever in the city, especially if you’re a library lover like me!

The post A Guide to the Prague Klementinum first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.