Aula Volta, Neoclassical lecture hall in Pavia, Italy.
Aula Volta is a neoclassical lecture hall at the University of Pavia featuring a shell-shaped ceiling and walls decorated with scientific imagery. The interior displays illustrations of early electrical apparatus and experimental instruments from the 18th century.
Construction began in 1785 under Emperor Joseph II's order and was completed in 1787 by architect Leopoldo Pollack. The hall emerged during a period when the university underwent major institutional changes.
The lecture hall honors Alessandro Volta, the local physicist and inventor whose marble bust by Giovanni Battista Comolli stands inside. The space was created as a tribute to his scientific achievements and remains central to the university's academic identity.
The space is maintained by the Physics Department at the University of Pavia for regular teaching and academic events throughout the year. Access may depend on whether lectures or events are taking place, so it is best to check beforehand.
The walls feature detailed illustrations of Volta's inventions including the electrophorus, gas pistol, and eudiometer. These visual reconstructions of 18th-century experimental techniques are rarely found in academic buildings of this age.
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