The Jesuits arrived in Kutná Hora in 1626 to convert the Utraquist town to Catholicism. They focused their attention on children and built a college next to St. Barbara’s Cathedral, connecting the two with a covered bridge.
The Jesuit College was built between 1667 and mid-18th century. The building originally had three towers but the middle one had to be removed in mid-19th century for stability reasons. A man-made terrace was created in front of the building and enclosed by a low wall upon which 13 statues of saints were placed. That created a sort of pseudo-bridge, which was supposed to resemble Prague’s Charles Bridge and Royal Route.
The building is now home to a large art gallery.