The Klementinum (prague.eu) is a sprawling complex of beautiful baroque halls that once housed the 17th-century college of the all-powerful Jesuit order. Guided tours explore the lavish Library Hall, the Meridian Hall, the 68m-tall Astronomical Tower and the uber-baroque Chapel of Mirrors.
Here Come the Jesuits
The Jesuit order came to Prague in the 16th century to boost the power of the Roman Catholic Church. For their base, they selected this choice piece of real estate and set to work on the Church of the Holy Saviour, the flagship of the Counter-Reformation. The church’s sooty stone saints glare down at trams and tourists on Křížovnické náměstí below.
Another Beautiful Library
In addition to the Strahov Monastery library, Prague has a second candidate for "World's Prettiest Library." The baroque Library Hall (1727) is magnificently decorated with ornate gilded carvings and a ceiling fresco depicting the Temple of Wisdom. It houses thousands of volumes dating back to 1600. The Meridian Hall was used to determine the time of day, using a beam of sunlight cast through a hole in the wall.
Astronomical Tower & Chapel of Mirrors
Climb the Astronomical Tower for fascinating views out over the Old Town. The tower served as an observatory until the 1930s; it now houses 18th-century astronomical instruments. The Chapel of Mirrors is a confection of gilded stucco, marbled columns, fancy frescoes and ceiling mirrors – baroque on steroids.
