Grand libraries, cozy cafés, and fascinating monuments make the capital of the Czech Republic a haven for book lovers.
Historical library of Strahov Monastery in Prague, Philosophical Hall
Prague has long been a city for dreamers and artists. There are plenty of reasons why bibliophiles flock to its cobbled streets. Grand libraries, cozy cafés, and fascinating monuments make the capital of the Czech Republic a haven for book lovers.
The “City of a Hundred Spires” is a hidden gem in the heart of Europe. It has played host to a variety of authors, inspiring the likes of Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera. Prague offers a truly Bohemian book retreat. These are the literary landmarks to see when visiting it.
10 Shakespeare And Sons Bookstore
A bookworm’s first stop in Prague should be one of its quaint bookstores. Luckily, the Shakespeare and Sons Bookstore is a gorgeous shop to find works in English and French. Despite its humble entrance, Shakespeare and Sons is brimming with novels and magazines. It is the largest independent store of its kind in Prague. The interior is relaxing and comfortable, complete with chairs and sofas for reading or chatting. Its assortment of trinkets and artwork gives it a welcoming and personal atmosphere.
-
Location:
U luzhickeho seminare 91/10, Praha, CZ 118 00
9 The Czech Academy Of Sciences Library
Prague is absolutely bursting with beautiful libraries. The Czech Academy of Sciences boasts one of its best. Located in the Old Town, it matches the grandiose architecture of its surroundings with towering marble columns and lofty ceilings. Emerald lamps and stacked light fixtures cast its chambers in hues of emerald and gold. The result is a study space as romantic as it is academic.
-
Location:
Národní 1009/3, 110 00 Staré Město, CZ
8 Franz Kafka Museum
Franz Kafka was one of Prague’s most famous yet elusive residents. The writer of The Metamorphosis and The Trial has been memorialized in a variety of museums and exhibits throughout the city. The Franz Kafka Museum features many of the author’s personal belongings and first editions. Additionally, art installations inspired by his works make a tour as mind-bending as reading one of his pieces.
-
Location:
2A Cihelná, Prague, 118 00, CZ
7 The Rotating Franz Kafka Head
Speaking of Franz Kafka, Prague’s New Town has a massive rotating statue of his head. The artwork is built of 42 layers of stainless steel plates which periodically shift, causing the face to contort and become misshapen. The material reflects its surroundings, distorting them and the visitors who stop to admire the installation. Thus, it accurately captures the themes of confusion and transformation that are prevalent in Kafka’s stories. A kind of morbid fascination is perfectly presented in its inability to keep still.
6 Globe Bookstore & Café
The Globe Bookstore & Café is a lovely location to find a new novel and indulge in some delicious Czech cuisine. It is a popular spot for artists, students, and foreigners who are eager to explore Prague’s literary scene. Visitors can listen to literary readings, sing karaoke, or test their wits on quiz nights. The Globe is at the center of the capital’s scholastic heart and actively cultivates a youthful and fun aura.
-
Location:
Pštrossova 1925/6, 110 00 Nové Město, Czechia
5 Café Slavia
Those looking for a bistro that is tied to Prague’s literary past should pay a visit to Café Slavia. First opened in 1884, the coffee shop is decorated in the Art Nouveau style and calls back to bygone times. Wooden floors, ornate lights, and stunning views of Charles Bridge and Prague Castle make it a fantastic stop to settle in for a relaxing reading or writing session. It has certainly been used as such by dozens of Czech poets and authors, including Josef Čapek, Arnošt Lustig, and Václav Černý.
-
Location:
Smetanovo nábř. 1012 /2, 110 00 Staré Město, CZ
4 Cafedu
Cafedu is a place where academia never sleeps. A brilliantly red spiral staircase connects two floors of pleasant reading spaces. It includes a non-stop study area where guests can enjoy internet and printing services all day or all night. A quiet zone is available for those seeking a silent space or a discussion zone for those wishing to chat about their projects. During regular operating hours, customers can also treat themselves to a delicious coffee, pastry, or snack. At Cafedu, early birds and night owls can become bookworms whenever they please.
-
Location:
12, Škrétova 490, 120 00 Praha 2, CZ
3 Klementinum Library
One of the largest building complexes in Europe also houses an exquisite Baroque library. The Klementinum (or Clementinum) dates back to the mid-16th century. A guided tour through it offers a peek at its extensive collection of volumes. Luxurious frescoes and aged globes decorate the gorgeous interior of its library. Unfortunately, entry into it is prohibited, and guests must content themselves with a glimpse of the special viewing platform. Luckily, visitors can still explore some majestic sights in the second part of the excursion. Visitors are guided to its Astronomical Clock Tower, which offers sweeping views of the city below.
-
Location:
Mariánské nám. 5, 110 00 Staré Město, CZ
2 Strahov Library
Another of Prague’s scholastic sanctuaries is the Strahov Library. It contains around 200,000 tomes, carefully preserved and displayed in its awe-inspiring chambers. The books are held in two halls, dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The older Baroque Theological Hall features curved ceilings, richly coated with elaborate stucco work and awe-inspiring art. In contrast, the newer Classicist Philosophical Hall is two stories tall and seems to grow as your eye wanders up to the painted clouds that grace its ceiling. All along its sides, mahogany shelves are ribbed with books from Europe’s past.
-
Location:
Strahovské nádvoří 132/1, 118 00 Praha 1-Hradčany, CZ
1 Municipal Library Of Prague
The Municipal Library has long been one of Prague’s hidden gems. Recently, it has seen a long-deserved surge thanks to its incredible infinite book tower. This breathtaking art installation occupies its entry hall and allows visitors to poke their heads inside it. Built from thousands of stacked books and mirrors placed at its lower and upper ends, it creates the sensation of falling through an unending tunnel of novels. Beyond the book tower, the library has many intimate alcoves to study or read. Large windows and open spaces allow plenty of opportunities to escape into the world of words.
-
Location:
Mariánské nám. 98/1, 110 00 Josefov, CZ
link