Astronomical Tower

One of the landmarks of the former Jesuit college is the Astronomical Tower, situated in the centre of the Klementinum courtyards, completed in 1722. Unfortunately, we do not know the exact name of its builder; it could have been František Maxmilián Kaňka or Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer, or perhaps Anselmo Luragho, a representative of the famous family of Vlax builders, participated in the work. The idea of building the tower is associated with František Retz, rector of the local university and later even general of the Jesuit order. After a number of years as an observation tower, it was equipped with astronomical instruments and astronomical and meteorological measurements began to take place thanks to Joseph Stepling, director of the mathematical studies and observatory (1752-81). The tower measures 68 metres from the base to the top, and 172 steps lead up to the 52-metre-high observation balcony. The top of the tower, visible from afar, is adorned with a lead statue of Atlanta carrying a celestial sphere on its shoulders. Of the original four sundials on each side of the tower's prism, only one, recently restored, remains.