About this place
The plaque commemorating Francysk Skaryna stands in the courtyard of the Clementinum complex in Prague's Old Town, marking a spot connected to one of the most consequential moments in the history of Slavic printing.
Who was Francysk Skaryna, and why does Prague honor him?
Francysk Skaryna was a Belarusian Renaissance humanist, physician and printer born in Polotsk. Between 1517 and 1519 he worked in Prague, running a print shop where he produced the "Biblia Ruska" — a translation of Scripture into Church Slavonic in its Belarusian recension, regarded as the second printed Bible in the Slavic world. For Belarusians, Skaryna occupies a place comparable to a founding figure of the written national language and of printing itself, and his Prague years are considered a milestone in the country's cultural history.
Where exactly is the plaque, and what does it look like?
The plaque is mounted in the courtyard of the Clementinum, the former Jesuit college that today houses the National Library of the Czech Republic, in the heart of Old Town. Its bilingual inscription, in Belarusian and Czech, records that between 1517 and 1519, in Prague's Old Town, Skaryna printed his first Bible in the Belarusian language. The plaque was designed by the Belarusian artist Ales Dranets and unveiled in 1996, at a time when independent Belarus was searching abroad for symbols of its own national identity.
Does the plaque carry meaning beyond printing history?
It does. In August 2020, during the mass protests that followed Belarus's disputed presidential election, the plaque became a gathering point for Prague's Belarusian community and supporters of democratic change — flowers were laid beneath it as a gesture of solidarity with Belarusians demanding fair elections. A centuries-old symbol of Belarusian cultural identity thus took on a new, contemporary role as a rallying point for a civic movement.
What else is worth seeing nearby?
The Clementinum itself is one of Prague's largest historic complexes, second in size only to Prague Castle, home to the Baroque National Library halls, the famous Mirror Chapel and Baroque Library Hall, and the Astronomical Tower with views over the Old Town rooftops. The courtyard holding the Skaryna plaque sits close to Křižovnické náměstí and Charles Bridge, making it easy to combine a visit with a walk through the oldest part of the city.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Francysk Skaryna? A Belarusian humanist, physician and printer from Polotsk, author of the first printed translation of the Bible into the Belarusian language, published in Prague between 1517 and 1519.
Where in the Clementinum is the plaque located? In the complex's courtyard, an area accessible to visitors touring the National Library and other Clementinum attractions.
When was the plaque made? In 1996, designed by the Belarusian artist Ales Dranets.
What language is the inscription in? Bilingual — Belarusian and Czech.
Does the plaque have political significance? It has become a site for symbolic gestures of solidarity with Belarusians, notably during the 2020 protests.
Nearby places
Earn badges for the places you visit
Download NextOnTrip, discover new places and check off your trails.