Clementinum

The first Habsburg ruler Ferdinand I brought the Jesuits to the city in 1556 in an attempt to halt the protestant Hussites who were becoming increasingly stronger and to anchor the Catholic faith. This led to the creation of the Jesuit College at the end of Karlova street, just before the Charles Bridge. It is still the city's second largest complex of buildings and includes three churches. Today, the grounds mainly serve the National Library and the State Technical Library. At the Clementinum's... own weather-station, meteorological measurements have been taken since 1775.
If you go on the guided tour, you can visit the baroque Library Hall of Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer which dates from the year 1722. You can also climb the 58 metre (190 ft) high tower. Once you have conquered the 172 steps, you will be rewarded with an incredible panorama of the Charles Bridge and the Bridge Towers at both ends. Classical music concerts are held in the baroque Mirror Chapel nearly every day. At the weekends, a small flea market is regularly held in the inner courtyard. more