Symposium Venue
Carolinum - the university complex
Blue Hall
Železná 541/9
110 00 Praha 1
When Charles IV. founded Charles University in 1348 he stressed out that it was the first university in the central Europe. There were four faculties at that time: faculty of art, medical faculty, faculty of law and theological faculty. The lectures were given first in churches, monasteries or private flats. Charles College was founded in 1366, seated in the Jewish quarter.
The teachers and students realised more and more that they needed a building that would represent the university. That’s why the son of Charles IV, Wenceslas IV., bought for the university an imposing Gothic house of Jan Rotlev and added two other houses. These buildings were reconstructed for the university purposes and Charles College moved into the new complex – Carolinum (Karolinum).
The buildings were extended – a new university chapel and a big hall for ceremonial assemblies – aula magna – were built. The university had lecture-rooms, assembly halls, flats for lecturers, a spa and even a prison.
The university building experienced a lot of events important in the Czech history. Professor and rector John Hus used to give lectures here. After 1620 the university was taken over by the Jesuits. They connected Carolinum with their college in Clementinum.
Carolinum's pride is the big aula which is used for university celebrations and graduation ceremonies. The main wall is decorated by a tapestry with the motive of Charles IV. kneeling in front of St. Wenceslas. In front the tapestry there is a bronze statue of Charles IV.
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The chapel, arcade and walls of Carolinum still survive. Notice especially a fine Gothic oriel window from 1370. Carolinum is simply the place where the important history has been written.
The Symposium venue – Carolinum – is accessible for wheelchairs.