Jezuitská kolej Karlovo náměstí, Jesuit college in New Town, Prague, Czech Republic.
Jezuitská kolej Karlovo náměstí is a 17th-century building complex with stone walls and several connected wings arranged around an inner courtyard. The spaces were originally designed for teaching, living, and scientific work, with high ceilings and windows that bring in plenty of natural light.
The college was founded in 1658 when the Jesuits expanded their teaching activities in Prague. It came to an end in 1773 when the Jesuit order was dissolved under the rule of Maria Theresa.
The college served as a meeting place where scholars gathered to collect and share knowledge across many subjects. Students here learned not only from books but also through observation and hands-on experiments, which was quite advanced for its time.
The complex sits on Karlovo Square in the city center and is easily reached by public transport. Visitors should plan ahead to join tours, as not all areas are accessible at all times.
The college's west facade, without the church, runs 200 metres along Karlovo Square, making it the third-largest Jesuit building in Europe. It was built between 1658 and 1702 to Carlo Lurago's design on the site of 23 demolished houses. Since 1945 the building has housed part of the General University Hospital, including the Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion.
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