Architecture as Proto-Landscape

摘要

In the 'Golden City', Prague, the Czech National Library is situated in the baroque complex of buildings known as the Clementinum, smack in the middle of the Old Town near the Charles Bridge. Dating to the 11th century, the complex originally housed a Dominican monastery, became a Jesuit college in 1556, the library of Charles University in 1622, and an observatory, library and university in 1773 under Empress Maria Theresia of Austria. In 1918, upon the establishment of Czechoslovakia, the state took over operations of the library; and, since 1990, it has functioned as the National Library.