One of the greatest Czech thinkers, philosophers and writers was born on 28 March 1592 in Moravia. He studied theology and was a priest, later the last bishop of the Unity of Brethren. After the defeat of the Bohemian Estates at the Battle of White Mountain in 1620, he became an exile and began his pilgrimage through Europe. 

After a stay in Poland and Sweden, he came to Prešov in 1650 and then to Blatný Potok at the invitation of Prince Rákoci. In 1654 he visited Prešov again and was one of the candidates for the post of rector of the town school, but the town council chose another candidate. Comenius went again to Poland and from there to Holland, where he spent the last years of his life. He died on 15 November 1670 in Amsterdam.

During his lifetime, Komenský gained a reputation as an author of pedagogical writings in the field of educational theory and didactics. His ideal was pansofia, i.e. the universal science of the system of all knowledge. Komenský's works that are still recognized today include The Gate of Languages Opened, The World in Pictures, The Great Didactic, and The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart. Many of his ideas are timeless, and because of them he is considered not only the founder of modern pedagogy, but also, and rightly, a teacher of nations.

During his visit to Prešov, Komenský stayed in the house of Ondrej Klobušický, later converted into a palace, today the seat of the Regional Court. Komenský's stay in Prešov is commemorated by a commemorative plaque on the facade of the Evangelical College in the city centre.

Source: Regional Library P. O. Hviezdoslav in Prešov; Micro-project.
Photo source: By Jürgen Ovens - http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/collectie/SK-A-2161, Free work, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34250301