The complex called “Clementinum” – the name comes from an old Romanesque shrine, the St Clement church – was built on the site of a former Dominican monastery.
The Jesuit congregation arrived to Prague in the middle of the 16th century and became very powerful following the Battle of White Mountain (1620). They played a central part in the movement of re-catholisation of Bohemia. Their school’s prestige rivaled that of the Prague University and was a major educational institution in the city during the Baroque era. It was favored by aristocratic families for the education of their children.
The building of the Jesuit school lasted several decades, from the middle of the 17th century to the early 18th century. Major architects contributed to its construction, such as Carlo Lurago or Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer.
After the Society of Jesus was banned in 1773, the Klementinum kept its purpose as an educational establishment. A printing press was also installed in the building, which became the seat of various cultural institutions, among which the Imperial and later the National library.
Besides a visit to the Baroque Church of the Holy Savior, that can be entered from the Křížovnické Square opposite the Charles Bridge, you can participate to regular guided tours in the Klementinum, where you will be able to admire:
- The Mirror Chapel, designed by Dientzenhofer as a private place of worship, it is prestigiously adorned with mirrors, stucco elements and frescos that illustrate the life of the Virgin;
- the large Baroque library and its historic collection of earth and celestial globes;
- the astronomical tower, an old observatory which offers one of the best views on the city of Prague.
Chamber music concerts (mainly Baroque music) are frequently held in the enchanting setting of the Mirror Chapel.
Klementinum – Astronomical tower, Baroque library, Mirror Chapel.
Mariánské náměstí 5
Prague 1 – Old Town
www.dreyer.cz
www.klementinum.com
How to get there:
Tramway: lines 17 - 18 stop “Karlové Lázně” or “Staroměstská”.
Subway Green line A, station “Staroměstská”.
Opening hours (guided tours only):
January to march: every day from 10am to 5pm (last departure at 4pm)
April: every day from 10am to 6pm (last departure at 5pm)
May to August: every day from 10am to 8pm (last departure at 7pm)
September: every day from 10am to 7pm (last departure at 6pm)
October to December: every day from 10am to 6pm (last departure at 7pm)
