 |
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
Tycho
showing the celestial globe to Rudolph II,
painting
by Eduard Ender,
19th century. |
|
 |
|
The house in
Novy Svet street
(n°1) where Tycho Brahe lived
during his stay in Prague. |
|
 |
|
|
|
Tycho
Brahe only stayed
in Prague for around 15 months. Even so, the city that
welcomed him, whereas his own country gave up on
him, appears to pay tribute to the astronomer
everywhere.
The
alleys and monuments in the Czech capital are littered
with engravings and memorials, extending as far
as his tomb, made out of red stone, within the Notre-Dame
de Tyn. |
|
|
|
| |
It should not be forgotten that Rudolph II,
shown opposite with Tycho, was fascinated by the sciences,
astrology and alchemy, and whose admiration for the men of
science knew no bounds. |
|
|
|
| |
It
was therefore with undisguised enthusiasm that the Emperor offered
the position of imperial mathematician to the exile
from Hveen. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Tycho opted for Benatky Castle, located a few kilometres
from Prague, and settled in almost immediately. |
|
|
|
| |
Unhappy at being outside of the capital whilst work
at the castle was unfinished, Tycho returned to
the city with his instruments. |
|
|
|
|
The
emperor immediately ordered that the royal gardens and
annexes be made available and bought a neighbouring house to
accommodate the astronomer and his family. The house, which can be
found at no. 1 in Novy Svet street in the HRADCANY district
at the foot of the imperial castle, has also
been home to several alchemists and their
laboratories. |
|
|
|
| |
|
The small Klementinum mathematics hall also pays
homage to Tycho, represented in one of its
fresques. Saint Clement, a former Dominican monastery
converted into a Jesuit convent, is today
the national library of Prague.
Tycho died prematurely in
1601. His tomb can be found inside the Notre-Dame de
Tyn, in the heart of the capital.
In 1604, a monument paying tribute to the
astronomer and his disciple, Kepler, was erected in the
POHORELEC district. It would seem that it was in
one of these houses, which today have
been replaced by the Jan Kepler college, that
the astronomer died, pronouncing the famous words: Non frustra
vixisse vidcor (May I not seem to have lived in vain).
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
