Biblioteca Comunale dell'Archiginnasio, Bologna

The Archiginnasio, in Bologna

The Archiginnasio is the former seat of the University of Bologna, become a library, famous for its anatomical theatre. The Bologna audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this symbol of the learned town, covered with coats of arms of students.

The palace of the learned town and its anatomical theatre

Bologna, the Red, the Fat, but above all the Learned: the Archiginnasio is one of the symbols of this town that attracted throughout its history the greatest intellectuals. Built in the sixteenth century, this palace was designed to bring together in a single place the teachings of the university, until then dispersed. Bordered by a long portico, it is organised around an arcaded courtyard and staircases, whose walls and vaults are literally covered with thousands of coats of arms and inscriptions of the students and the professors who succeeded one another there, forming a unique decor. Its jewel is the anatomical theatre, a magnificent entirely wooden hall, adorned with sculptures, where the dissections were formerly practised before the medical students. The Archiginnasio today shelters the municipal library and remains a high place of the learned memory of Bologna.

What to see

You admire the former seat of the university of the sixteenth century, its arcaded courtyard and its staircases covered with thousands of coats of arms of students, and above all its magnificent entirely wooden anatomical theatre adorned with sculptures, where the dissections were practised, today a municipal library. The Archiginnasio is a symbol of learned Bologna. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Archiginnasio lies near Piazza Maggiore, in the heart of Bologna, reachable on foot. The courtyard and the porticoes are partly freely accessible; the visit of the anatomical theatre and certain spaces follows its own hours and conditions, which vary. It is best to check the arrangements before coming.

What is the anatomical theatre of the Archiginnasio in Bologna?

A magnificent entirely wooden hall adorned with sculptures, where the dissections were formerly practised before the medical students; it is the jewel of the Archiginnasio, the former seat of the university become a municipal library.