How Many Books Are in the Tower of Prague?

By Anna Duncan

If you’re a book lover, you’ve probably heard of the Tower of Prague. This historic tower is not only a popular tourist attraction but also houses a vast collection of books. But just how many books are in the Tower of Prague?

Well, the answer is not so straightforward. The Tower of Prague is home to two major libraries – the Klementinum and the Strahov Library. Between these two libraries, there are an estimated 6 million volumes of books!

The Klementinum Library, which is located in the Old Town area of Prague, has a collection of about 20,000 books. This library was established in 1777 and was primarily intended as a theological library. However, it has since expanded to include an extensive range of subjects such as history, geography, mathematics, and more.

The Strahov Library, on the other hand, is located in Strahov Monastery and has two main sections – the Philosophical Hall and the Theological Hall. The Philosophical Hall contains over 42,000 books while the Theological Hall has over 18,000 volumes. In addition to these two halls, there are also several other rooms that house smaller collections.

One interesting fact about the Strahov Library is that it has one of the oldest globes in existence – made in 1693 by Vincenc Morstadt. This impressive globe measures over three meters in diameter and weighs around 700 kilograms!

In addition to books and globes, both libraries also have collections of manuscripts and other historical documents. The Klementinum Library even has its own observatory on top of its tower!

Visitors to both libraries can take guided tours or explore on their own (though note that photography may be restricted). Both libraries have strict rules regarding handling and borrowing materials as many items are very rare or even unique.

So there you have it – while we can’t give you an exact number of books in the Tower of Prague, we know that between the Klementinum and Strahov libraries, there are millions of volumes to explore. Whether you’re a history buff, a literature lover, or just curious about the world around you, these libraries are definitely worth a visit!