First One Northwards from the Alps
Prague’s university was founded by the Czech and Roman king Charles IV by a charter from 7th April 1348 as the first university northwards from the Alps and eastwards from Paris. Charles University thus belongs to one of the oldest universities in Europe.
Since its foundation, the university followed the example of the Bolognese and the Parisian universities and in a short time became internationally famous. The university consists of four faculties: faculty of theology, of arts, of law, and of medicine. Not only Czech but also many foreign teachers and students were members of the academic community of the university, especially those from Central European areas for whom the university in Prague became accessible and erudite university of Studium Generale. Charles´s son and successor Wenceslas IV extended his influence on the university and in 1409 strengthened also the position of the native members of the academic community by a Kutna Hora Decree. A territorial character of the Prague Studium Generale was emphasized by the protest departure by some of the masters and scholars from the Prague university. One more important act is related to Wenceslas IV. In 1383 he obtained one of the nicest Old Town palaces for the university. The palace had been built shortly before that by a wealthy patrician, royal master of the mint and banker Johlin Rotlev (Rotlöw).
Since its reconstruction in 1386, Carolinum – that is the name that the palace was given and which is even used today – served not only as a residence to Prague’s professors, who lectured and lived there, but also as the solemn gathering place of the university and the seat of the chancellor, academic representatives and offices. Sources have it that until that time, many places in Prague had been used for teaching, mainly individual teachers’residences.
Shortly after the Prague University influenced by the Hussite movement preceding the European Reformation changed its character. The university rector, Master Jan Hus, became very influential at the university. In following social and political revolution the university was reduced to one faculty- faculty of arts (artium)- as a prototype of future territorial reformation academies.
Another significant period in the history of Prague’s university was the reign of Rudolph II.He created a cultural metropolis where besides a court centre (with scholars Joannes Kepler and Tycho de Brahe) also a university erudition was developing.
At the University of Limerick, our superb riverside campus is set on 130 hectares of lush parkland, where the River Shannon meets the sea. Due to our location, the costs of living and socialising in Limerick are lower than in many other parts of the country. This means that your money goes further at UL. We provide a wide choice of accommodation, either on campus or within easy reach of the University. You can walk to college from where you live. Come and visit during our Open Days and see for yourself!
