Strahov Monastery

In an article about how "James Bond has become public enemy number one in Prague", Ananova reports some interesting tidbits on location shooting in the Czech capital. It seems the Bond crew currently isn’t filming at Barrandov Studios, as previously reported, but at Modrany Studios, which are located in a former industrial site in the east of the city.

Residents living around the studio where Casino Royale is being filmed complained their lives are being made a misery by the noise and traffic. They claim that "high performance cars constantly speed down the roads, weaving between stretch limos carrying the stars and huge lorries carrying stage props".

Less than a week after filming started, a petition was handed to officials at the town hall by angry residents demanding they take action to stop the noise. Officials at the local council also admitted that the phones have been ringing non-stop from people complaining about the racket. Now, after sending some experts to the studio, the council has backed the residents, and ordered controls on the comings and goings around Modrany film studio. Production company Stillking insists all noise and traffic levels are within the agreed limits but has pledged to take more care in future to avoid upsetting locals.

Strahov Library

The article also states that "Filming at Modrany is due to continue for the next 10 days. It will then be shot at Strahov monastery before the crews move to the Bahamas." Strahov monastery is a locale that has never been mentioned before, but it seems to be a very interesting place with a lot of history. "The Royal Canonry of Premonstratensians at Strahov" is one of the oldest monasteries of the Premonstratensian Order in the world. It has been a working monastery ever since 1143.

The most valuable parts of monastery complex are a gigantic library (unique library from 1143), reminding the visitor of the world famous library of Trinity College in Dublin, the Basilica of Our Lady (Mozart improvised on the organ in 1787) and a picture gallery that contains one of the truly great private collections in the Central Europe and which was established in 1836. Rumours are that Strahov is going to double for a location in Montenegro.

After heading to the Bahamas for three weeks, cast and crew will return to Prague in early March and work at the Barrandov film studio, the city’s main studio.

Casino Royale is the 21st James Bond film produced by franchise holders Eon Productions. The MGM/Columbia Pictures production began shooting in January and is due for release worldwide on 17 November 2006. Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, it is currently being filmed in the Czech Republic, the Bahamas, Italy and the UK.

Discuss this news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond forum on the internet. Many thanks to forum user “Shrublands” for the tip!