jezuitská kolej v Klatovech Track

Jesuit College in Klatovy is a historical monument located at Denisova 148, in the city area Klatovy I. This building, together with the adjacent Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and Saint Ignatius, forms a complex of Baroque buildings from the 17th century. Klatovy catacombs under the buildings of the tracks are a key attraction, where mummified remains of the Jesuit members are stored. Today, the building serves as the headquarters of the City Library of Klatovy and the City Office, with some of the premises available to the public.

The formation of the tracks is linked to the antireform in the Czech Republic of the 17th century, where the goal was to restore Catholic faith and establish institutions like these. In 1635 the lords of the nobility, Albrecht Chanovský z Dlouhé Vsi and his allies, turned to Emperor Ferdinand III to ask for the presence of Jesuits in Klatovy. Martin Stredonius, Jan Molitor and Jiří Aquitan were the first members of the Order who settled in the city on 11 March 1636. Jiří Adam Bořita z Martinic and his sister Lucie Otilie married to Count Oldřich František Libstejnský of Kolovrat provided significant support.

The architecture of the tracks is an example of baroque art that has evolved in two stages. The first stage in the early Baroque style was completed in 1671 under the direction of Giovanni Domenico Orsi. After the fire caused by the French in 1689, the Baroque style was restored between 1692 and 1703, affecting not only the building itself, but also the entire urban environment. Architects Carlo Lurago and Theodor Moretus played a key role in shaping this baroque character.

The ownership of the tracks has undergone several changes. From 1635 until the abolition of the order in 1773, the tracks were held by the Tovarysch of Jesus. After the abolition of the Jesuits, the object went under the administration of the army, where it served as a garnison for various military units until 1992. Since then, the campus has belonged to Klatovy.

Among the key events in the track history are their founding in 1636, the fire in 1689 and the subsequent restoration. In 1692-1693 a seminar was also built in the garden of the college. The order was abolished in 1773, leaving the tracks which subsequently served military purposes until the early 1990s.

Today the tracks are accessible to the public, especially through the Klatovy City Library and the City Office. The premises as a former monastery refectory were converted into a representative hall, allowing visitors to explore the historical significance and architecture of this building. Klatovy catacombs remain one of the most striking attractions that attract visitors.

The Jesuit college in Klatovy is an important monument that shows the rich history and cultural heritage of the city. Its architecture and historical context offer visitors an opportunity to explore the past within the modern urban environment. For those interested in history and architecture, a visit to this building is not only a learning experience, but also an opportunity to appreciate the important stages of Czech history.