Klementinum, the World’s Most Beautiful Library

Vieille bibliothèque dans le Clementinum

The Klementinum library, located at the historical center of Prague, Czech Republic, next to the Charles Bridge, is arguably one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. It was first opened in 1722, and was originally part of a Jesuit university. The library also used to be the third largest Jesuit college in the world, and the unique building features Baroque architecture, and frescoes painted ceilings, by Jan Hiebl.

Furthermore, the library houses over a grand total of 20,000 books, including the collection of Czech literature known as Biblioteca Nationalis, established by the director Karel Rafael Ungar in 1781. A few of these historic books have been sent to be scanned by Google, and will soon be available through Google Books. Also, it was here, at Klementinum library, that local weather began being recorded in 1775.

The library was voted “one of the most beautiful and majestic libraries in the world,” by Bored Panda readers. Additionally, the Klementinum was featured in a novel by the famous Spanish writer, Jorge Luis Borges, called “The Secret Miracle”, where the main character of the book had a dream where he sees the Klementinum, and the librarians search for God among the books.

The building continues to be one of the largest buildings in Europe, and its astronomical tower stretches a full sixty-eight meters in the air, giving a magnificent view of the historical district of Prague. Also, The library offers guided tours, and holds annual events such as the Vysehrad Codex Exhibition, and scheduled romantic evenings for two.