| Carolinum | |
|---|---|
 Carolinum andGrossmünster as seen from Grossmünsterplatz (Zwingliplatz) in Zurich | |
 Interactive map of the Carolinum area | |
| Former names | Prophezey; Schola Tigurina; Töchterschule; Ehemalige Mädchenschule am Grossmünster |
| Alternative names | Theologisches Seminar |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| Location | Zurich,Switzerland, Kirchgasse 9, 8001 Zurich |
| Coordinates | 47°22′12″N8°32′39.12″E / 47.37000°N 8.5442000°E /47.37000; 8.5442000 |
| Construction started | 1843 |
| Completed | 1849 |
| Owner | City of Zurich |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 3 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Gustav Albert Wegmann |
TheCarolinum (sometimesProphezei orProphezey) is the predecessor educational institution of the theological faculty of theUniversity of Zurich, established in 1525. As building, it is part of the formercloister of theGrossmünster Chorherrenstift inZurich, Switzerland. Grossmünster and Carolinum (Ehemalige Mädchenschule am Grossmünster) are listed in theSwiss inventory of cultural property of national and regional significance as a Class A object.
An institutionalized academic education inZürich dates back to the medieval collegiate and city schools. In the late European Middle Ages, aCarolinum associated to theGrossmünster priory and its canons was mentioned. On occasion of theReformation in Zürich, it even became an important rule for the training of prospective Protestant theologians. As other educational institutions, it is named afterCharlemagne (Carol or Swiss-GermanKarl).
The reformerHuldrich Zwingli initiated the transformation of the former Latin schoolProphezey orProphezei into a training center for reformed theologians, by a Zürich city's council mandate on 29 September 1523 AD; lessons started on 19 June 1525. The weekday lectures (Lezgen orLectiones, literally: lessons) were free of charge for the interested people in urban and rural areas of the city republic of Zürich, bywell-learned men.Heinrich Bullinger'sSchola Tigurina may have influenced the education in many other institutions beginning in 1559.[1] Bullinger'sSchola Tigurina merged in the 18th century to the theological faculty and the upper secondary school in the thenCarolinum been. The financing of the chairs respectively professorships was depending on the benefices of the secularizedcanons of the formerGrossmünster priory. In addition to theological subjects and Classical languages, in 1541, the natural history department (Conrad Gessner) and in 1731 a political science chair (Johann Jakob Bodmer) was created, and in 1782 the surgical institute to train medical doctors.[2]
After the abolition of theChorherrenstift congregation in 1832, the building was sold to the Canton of Zürich. In 1849 the structures were widely demolished and replaced by Gustav Albert Wegmann's building. TheGrossmünsterplatz schoolhouse of the girls' gymnasium (Töchterschule, as of todayKantonsschule Hohe Promenade), an urban high school for girls, was established in 1875 and located in the building until 1976, when the Theological faculty of the University of Zürich moved in.[3]
The present University of Zürich bases on theCarolinum and uses its former logo, the silhouette of theGrossmünster church. The university claims to be established in the tradition of the canons of the Carolinum's institutions.[4]
The building is located atKirchgasse 9 at theGrossmünsterplatz square – attached to theGrossmünster church on its eastern side – in the southeast of theNeumarkt respectively northwestern of theMünsterhof squares in Zürich.
Thecloister of the formerChorherrenstift Grossmünster, the chapter ofAugustinian canons, dates from the late 12th century and was part of the canons (Chorherrenstift) which was dissolved in 1832, making way for the girls' school. The cloister was dismantled and integrated into the new building those reconstruction was based on the original elements of the architecture, but includes numerous interpretations by the architect.[5] The cloister is also home to a permanent exhibition on Zwingli and other important people in the Reformation era.[6]
The cloister was renewed in 2009, its sandstone elements were cleaned, and the interior garden redesigned in corporation with theProSpecieRara foundation. The compilation of the cultural and historical ornamental plants is inspired by the natural scientist and polymathConrad Gessner who found his final resting place in the cloister.[5] Gessner dealt inter alia with the elements of teaching, therefore the renewed courtyard garden is dedicated to the themaearth, fire, water and air, cultural-historical ornamental plants in the four beds,[6] analogous to theGessner-Garten in theOld Botananical Garden.
After the abolition of theChorherrenstift congregation in 1832, and to 1849 the structures were widely demolished and replaced by Wegmann's building in theRomanesque Revival style.[3] The as of today faculty building was built according to the drafts Gustav Albert Wegmann from 1843 to 1849. The cloister was dismantled during the demolition, supplemented with many new parts and integrated into the new building in 1851. TheGrossmünster church building is owned by theCanton of Zürich, and the annex building being the former cloister, however, is in the property of the city of Zürich. It is leased to the Theological faculty of the University of Zürich since 1976.[5]
Grossmünster and Carolinum (Ehemalige Mädchenschule am Grossmünster) are listed in theSwiss inventory of cultural property of national and regional significance as aClass A object of national importance.[7]
| Districts |
|  | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Transport | |||||||||||||
| Education |
| ||||||||||||
| Streets/ Squares | |||||||||||||
| Bridges | |||||||||||||
| Tunnels | |||||||||||||
| Buildings |
| ||||||||||||
| Museums |
| ||||||||||||
| Entertainment/ Events |
| ||||||||||||
| Parks/Forests | |||||||||||||
| Water Bodies | |||||||||||||
