The Magical Luxembourgs – Fragments of the Library of Václav IV (1361–1419)

The exhibition "The Magical Luxembourgs – Fragments of the Library of Václav IV (1361–1419)" runs in the Romanesque foundations of the Minorite Monastery in Prague from 21 March to 31 May 2026. It builds on the previous successful exhibition "The Coronation Jewels of the Luxembourg Rulers" and presents the period of Luxembourg rule in the Czech lands through 17 facsimiles of rare historical documents. Visitors can explore the unique, richly illuminated Václav Bible, the most luxurious copy of the Golden Bull of Charles IV from 1356, parts of his astronomical codices, and the author's copy of Bellifortis by Konrad Kyeser. Other exhibited works include the Velislav Bible, the Krumlov Picture Codex, the Constance Chronicle by Ulrich Richenthal (one of the most important sources on the Council of Constance), the Munich Astrological Miscellany of Václav IV, and an illuminated fragment of the travel narrative "The Book of Marvellous Journeys" by John of Mandeville. The exhibition includes a functional replica of a medieval crane created according to an illumination in Václav IV's Bible, previously presented at the exhibition "Charles IV – Emperor by the Grace of God" at Prague Castle, and a section dedicated to Moravia under the Luxembourgs. For younger visitors, a medieval games room with 14th-century toys is available. The exhibition has been touring since 2015 and has been seen by over 100,000 visitors. The author and main organizer is JUDr. Oldřich Beneš (MARIE Association). The Minorite Monastery, the oldest Franciscan monastery in Central Europe, was founded by Václav I in 1232 and hosted the wedding feast of John of Luxembourg and Elisabeth of Přemyslid in 1311. Tickets can be purchased online or at the monastery's information kiosk at Malá Štupartská 635/6, Prague 1.