The facade is a sober reminder of the long history of this building. This is the Klarov Institute for the Blind, founded in 1832 by the philanthropist and professor Alois Klar. Its purpose was to educate and employ blind adults, a novel idea for its time. The institute moved here from its original location on Hradcany, which was too small. With the support of Emperor Francis I, Alois Klar was able to acquire this plot of land, which also had the benefit of being near the fresh water of the Brusnice stream.
However, building the institute was not easy. The land was prone to flooding, so the foundations for the institute had to be dug seven and a half meters below the level of the Vltava River. Not only was the construction challenging, but the institute was also plagued by financial problems. Alois Klar died in 1833, but his son, Pavel Alois Klar, continued his work. He oversaw the building of the institute, which was finally completed in 1885. It includes a chapel dedicated to St. Raphael, a biblical figure known for restoring sight, an appropriate symbol given the institution’s purpose.
The building was used as an institute for the blind until the mid-20th century, when it was transferred to the state. Today, the Czech Geological Survey is headquartered here, and the building remains a testament to Alois Klar’s dedication to the blind. The institute may have served a different purpose now, but its history as a sanctuary for those who could not see remains etched in the building’s stone.