The Way to the Office

Continuation of the series

Last time we had started our walk through the Old Town of Prague at the Náměstí republiky. Now we’ll go on to the Klementinum where as you know our new office is now located.

The buildings of the former Jesuit College are right after the Castle of the Czech Kings the second largest built-up area in Prague. They spread over almost 2 hectares.

The origins of the Klementinum date back to the 16th century when King Ferdinand I summoned the Jesuit Order into Bohemia. They had chosen a place by a busy road, (today Karlova) leading at that time towards the only stone bridge crossing the Vltava River. They purchased or were given by the ruler the surrounding land including houses, 3 churches, gardens and even a brewery.

A whole range of prominent builders and artists of the time took part in the construction and decoration of the huge palace.

Today these Baroque treasures bring into the palace and onto the four extensive courts, thousands of foreign visitors. They admire the planetarium tower that used to be an observatory, as well as the Mirror Hall where concerts take place. In the first part of the buildings there is now the Codex Gigant exhibition. The National Library as well as a number of other cultural institutions is located on the premises.

You may enter the Klementinum from three spots: from the Křižovnicka Street, opposite the Charles Bridge, from Karlova Street, or from the Mariánské náměstí.