Église de Santa Maria dei Bulgari, Renaissance chapel in University of Bologna, Italy
The church of Santa Maria dei Bulgari is a chapel from the High Renaissance period located within the Palazzo dell'Archiginnasio. The space features a vaulted ceiling and walls decorated with numerous heraldic shields accumulated over centuries of university life.
The chapel was designed by Antonio Morandi in the 16th century when the University of Bologna moved into the Archiginnasio building. It emerged during a period when many international students were drawn to the university.
The chapel was founded by Bulgarian students and keeps their name alive through centuries. The walls display coats of arms that recall student communities from different lands who studied here.
The chapel can be accessed through the Archiginnasio Library located in the same building, which is open to the public on most days. It is helpful to check the library's hours before visiting to make sure you can view the chapel.
The building around the chapel suffered damage during World War II, but the chapel itself was carefully restored to its original form. This reconstruction preserves a witness to student life that could otherwise have been lost.
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