Tombs of the glossators of Bologna, Medieval legal scholars monument at Piazza Malpighi, Italy
The Tombs of the glossators are monuments to medieval legal scholars positioned at Piazza Malpighi, featuring raised stone sarcophagi adorned with carved details and architectural ornaments. Each burial site displays stonework that communicates the importance of the professors entombed within.
These monuments were built in the 13th century to honor scholars who invented new ways of reading and explaining Roman law. Their methods became the foundation for how legal studies developed throughout Europe.
The tombs show how Bologna honored its legal teachers, treating them as figures worthy of lasting memory in the public square. Visitors can see how these monuments reflected the city's values around learning and intellectual achievement.
The tombs sit at the intersection of two squares in central Bologna and are straightforward to reach on foot. It helps to visit during daylight hours so you can see the carved details clearly on the stone surfaces.
The sarcophagus of Accursius bears legal questions and answers carved directly into its stone walls, functioning like a textbook in stone. This teaching method shows how knowledge was physically woven into the memorial itself.
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