The Klementinum is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Prague. This 11th century building houses the national library of the Czech Republic. The architecture of Klementinum is a delight to watch. This building covers a huge area of 20,000 square meters. The Baroque structure can be witnessed in the architectural pattern of the building. For its total collection of books and well maintenance, Klementinum was honored with the UNESCO's Jikji prize in 2005. This mammoth building ranks as the second largest building complex in Prague in terms of the area coverage. The Prague Castle stands ahead of the Klementinum in this respect.
|
From the first date of its construction, Klementinum was not a library. Earlier, it used to be Saint Clement's chapel. In the 16th century, it was further transformed into a Jesuit college. The library works started in the Klementinum in the 17th century. Ultimately, in 1781 the Klementinum was taken over by the National Library. A large collection of Czech literature can be found inside the Klementinum.
The tourists are permitted to enter the premises of the Klementinum, but they are required to maintain the silence within the library complex. The ambiance of the library of Klementinum is bound to draw the tourists nostalgic.
|
