Palacky University

The history of higher education in Olomouc began in 1566, when Jesuit college was established here. In 1573 this collee was granted University rights, identical with those of other European institutions of higher education. The Univeristy of Olomouc, the second oldest university in the Czech lands (after Charles university in Prague), spread its influence not only through Moravia and Silesia, but also in Austria, Germany, etc.. After the Jesuit order was abolished in 1773, the University was secularised. In 1848 the University teachers and students took an active part in the Revolution and their legions supported the uprising in Viennna. The result was that the University fell into disfavour with the monarchy and from 1851on it was gradually reduced, and finally abolished altogether by a Decree of 1860. The Faculty of Theology continuedits work independently and, together with University Library, kept up the tradition of higher education in Olomouc. On the 21st of February, 1946 the University was re-established as fullblown entity and named Palacky University. The November in 1989 brought about the beginning of the third and the most important period in the history of higher education in Olomouc.