Anatomical theatre of the Archiginnasio, Anatomical theatre in Palazzo dell'Archiginnasio, Bologna, Italy
The Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio is housed within Palazzo dell'Archiginnasio and features a white marble dissection table positioned in the center. Tiered wooden galleries rise in a pentagon formation, allowing students to stand close enough to observe the medical procedures being conducted.
The theatre was built in 1637 by Antonio Levanti to serve as a teaching space for medical students at the University of Bologna. In 1803, instruction moved to a different location, and this room ceased to function as a working classroom for anatomy lessons.
Wooden statues of celebrated doctors like Hippocrates and Galen line the walls, reflecting how medicine was taught as a learned tradition passed down through history. Visitors can still sense the respect for medical authority that once filled this room during lessons.
The theatre is located within a historic palace in Bologna's center and can be reached once you enter the building. Take time to examine the wooden details and decorative elements up close, as the room contains many finely crafted features worth studying carefully.
Two wooden statues called the Spellati, carved to show exposed muscles in precise anatomical detail, stand at the back near the teacher's position. These figures served as reference models, helping students understand human anatomy before live procedures began.
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