Clementinum

The Clementinum (Klementinum in Czech) is the national library of the Czech Republic situated in Prague.

Related Topics:
Czech - National library - Czech Republic - Prague

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The history of the library dates from the existence of a chapel to Saint Clement in the 11th century. A Dominican monastery was founded in the medieval period, which was transformed in 1566 to a Jesuit college. In 1622 the Jesuits transferred the library of Charles University to the Klementinum. The Jesuits remained until 1773, when the Klementinum was established as an observatory, library, and university by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.

Related Topics:
Chapel - Saint Clement - 11th century - Monastery - Medieval period - 1566 - Jesuit - 1622 - Library - Charles University - 1773 - Observatory - Maria Theresa of Austria

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The National Library was founded in 1781 and from 1782 the Klementinum was a legal deposit library.

Related Topics:
1781 - 1782 - Legal deposit

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In 1918 the newly-established Czecho-Slovak state took over the library. Since 1990, it has been the National Library.

Related Topics:
1918 - Czecho-Slovak state - 1990

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The architecture is a notable example of Baroque architecture and Clementinum, covering 20,000 square metres, is the second largest complex of buildings in Prague after the Prague Castle.

Related Topics:
Architecture - Baroque architecture - Prague Castle

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The library contains a collection of Mozartiana, material pertaining to Tycho Brahe and Comenius, as well as historic examples of Czech literature.

Related Topics:
Mozart - Tycho Brahe - Comenius - Czech literature

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Today the complex hosts National, University and Technical library. City Library is located in close neighbourghood.

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In 2005 the Czech National Library received the UNESCO´s Jikji prize (Memory of the World).

Related Topics:
UNESCO - Jikji prize

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