Charles University in Prague (UK) - the most important Czech College. In 1348 she founded the Czech and Roman king Charles IV. The world-renowned UK is also the oldest university in Central Europe, now has seventeen faculties.

The establishment of a university in Prague considered the late thirteenth century King Wenceslas II. The realization of the idea, however, occurred under Charles IV., Who in 1346 became the Czech and Roman king. His application for permission to establish a university then Pope Clement VI. granted, and on January 26, 1347 issued in Avignon founding charter. Credit for this should also Archbishop of Prague, Ernest of Pardubice, who, as a very able diplomat worked in the service of Charles IV. Then himself after the founding of the university became its chancellor.

The founding charter issued by Charles IV. after the approval of the Provincial Assembly on April 7th 1348. The model for the organization of the Prague University became a university in Paris, Bologna and Naples. UK and originally had four faculties: circus, theology, law and medicine. By issuing imperial diploma January 14, 1349 University received significant privileges, for example, could issue its own statute and were exempt from taxes. That era silver sealer, which today serves as a symbol of the university. In the ring die is engraved inscription Sigillum Universitatis scholarium study Pragensis , inside is depicted kneeling king Charles IV., Serves as an instrument of Prince St. Vaclav and symbolically entrusts the university under his protection.

Students and professors were divided into four nations (Czech, Saxony, Bavaria and Poland). In 1409, gave his son V�clav IV. Kutnohorsk� decree, which limited the influence of foreigners at the University of Prague and the Czech favored reformists. At the protest left hundreds of foreign professors and students who found jobs in other European universities. During the Hussite wars international significance universities fell and faculties was reduced to one.

The important period in the history of the university include the rule of Rudolf II., Who made Prague a renowned cultural center of European significance.

In 1654 joined Ferdinand III. Carolingian university and Jesuit university in Clementinum in Charles-Ferdinand University. In 1882, the University, where he again four faculties, divided into Czech and German parts. Name of the Charles-Ferdinand was valid until the end of the First World War and the collapse of the Habsburg monarchy.

At university, she worked a number of exceptional personalities. Among them was, for example, and scientist Albert Einstein or a future president of Czechoslovakia, Tom� Garrigue Masaryk. After the occupation of Czechoslovakia by German troops, subsequent student demonstrations and after the funeral of student Jana Opletala, the university was closed. It started its activities until after the end of World War II.