Explore the historic highlights of Leuven
Leuven, Belgium
1439
Leuven, Belgium
1425-1497
Leuven, Belgium
1650-1671
Leuven, Belgium
1234
Leuven, Belgium
1738
Leuven, Belgium
14th century
Leuven, Belgium
1455
Leuven, Belgium
1129
Leuven, Belgium
1220-1230
Leuven, Belgium
1888
Leuven, Belgium
18th century
Leuven, Belgium
1440
The Clementinum is a historic complex of buildings in Prague. Until recently the complex hosted the National, University and Technical libraries, the City Library also being located nearby on Mariánské Náměstí. The Technical library and the Municipal library have moved to the Prague National Technical Library at Technická 6 since 2009. It is currently in use as the National Library of the Czech Republic.
Its 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 an observatory, library, and university by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.