Klementinum Library In Praque

Reading is how people install new software into their brains... Where is the best place you can find something to read? In a library of cource and if this library is in a unigue city and is housed in one of the biggests complex in Europe then you have a jackpot. Klementinum Library in Praque is the place to be.

The large complex of Klementinum is located on the Old Town side of the Charles Bridge in the historical center of Prague. Klementinum was built on an area of two hectares and is one of the largest building complexes in Europe.

Until recently the complex hosted the National, University and Technical libraries, the City Library also being located nearby on Mariánské Náměstí. It is currently in use as the National Library of the Czech Republic.

It's history dates from the existence of a chapel dedicated to Saint Clement in the 11th century. A Dominican monastery was founded in the medieval period, which was transformed in 1556 to a Jesuit college. In 1622 the Jesuits transferred the library of Charles University to the Klementinum, and the college was merged with the University in 1654. The Jesuits remained until 1773, when the Klementinum was established as anobservatory, library, and university by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.

The baroque library holds more than 20,000 books in it's rooms. The Library is used by many people in order to propose to their beloved ones. You can also book a cuided tour in ther library which includes the Astronomical Tower, with a beautiful view of the historical center of Prague, Meridian hall a unique room previously used for determining noon and Baroque library hall with beautiful frescoes and several historically valuable globes.

The Astronomical Tower was built in 1722 to a height of 68 meters. At the top stands lead statue of Atlas carrying the celestial sphere. On the second floor of the tower is the unique Meridian hall , previously used for determining noon. The whole room turned into a camera obscura, due to ray of sunlight coming through a small hole up in the wall. The interioir of the baroque library has remained intact since the 18th century. The baroque Library hall is decorated with ceiling frescoes by Jan Hiebl depicting allegorical motifs of education, and portraits of Jesuit saints, patrons of the university and prominent representatives of this order. At the head of the hall is a portrait of Emperor Joseph II., who arranged for the books from abolished monastic libraries to be sent to Klementinum. Also remarkable is the collection of geografical and astronomical globes in the center of the library.

Find more info and pictures in my photo gallery and if you are looking for the best way to go and install some new software in your brain in this baroque library just answer five simple questions at my secret session and get ready to download.