Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio, Renaissance palace in central Bologna, Italy
Palazzo dell'Archiginnasio is a 16th-century palace in central Bologna and now houses the city library along with the historic anatomy hall. The facade displays two levels of arcades while the walls and corridors are decorated with numerous coats of arms from students across Europe.
Antonio Morandi constructed the building from 1563 onwards to gather all faculties of the University of Bologna under one roof. It served as a teaching seat until the end of the 18th century before the university moved to another location.
The name Archiginnasio comes from the Greek term for the first university and points to the building's central role in academic life. The Anatomical Theatre with its carved figures shows how medical teaching worked in the past and which topics occupied students back then.
The city library opens Monday to Friday from 9 am to 7 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm with guided tours available at the entrance. The anatomy hall is on the upper floor and can be reached by a staircase accessible to all visitors.
More than 6,000 coats of arms decorate walls and ceilings and show the origins of students from across Europe who once studied here. Each coat of arms was marked with names and home regions so you can still trace the diversity of the student body back then.
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