The Château d'Esparron-de-Verdon is located in the commune of Esparron-de-Verdon in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department.
The first mention of a castle in Esparron dates back to 990. A charter from the abbey of Lérins, dated that year, refers to a church dedication near 'castrum Sparronis, in Bulzolschi valle.' Historian Mathieu Vivas suggests this text dates more likely to the 1020s, tied to the incastellamento phenomenon in Provence, during which fortified settlements emerged. In 1182, a man named Bertrand d'Esparron is cited in the cartulary of the Saint-Victor Abbey in Marseille.
Agnès Spata, daughter of Augier Spata, married Boniface IV de Castellane in the early 13th century. The Castellane family, one of the oldest Provençal families, shared lordship of Esparron with the d'Esparron family during the 13th and 14th centuries. By the 15th century, the Castellane family became sole lords of Esparron through marriage and purchase.
A square tower, 9 meters wide with walls 1.5 meters thick, was constructed in the early 13th century. Modifications occurred between 1520 and 1540, with additions like a latrine tower and a spiral staircase.
In the late 18th century, the east wing was restored with modern touches like adjoining rooms, salons, and ceremonial chambers. The current owner, Count Bernard de Castellane-Esparron, inherited the estate in 1989 and, along with his wife Charlotte-Anne, has since converted the castle into a guesthouse.
The castle features a 13th-century square keep, modified in the 15th century, as well as remnants of curtain walls and living quarters from the 15th and 17th centuries. In the latter half of the 18th century, the seigneurial castle was transformed into a pleasure residence by reconstructing the south wing.
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.