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Archiginnasio Di Bologna — The Archiginnasio courtyard framed by its arched galleries and clock towerPhoto: Wwikiwalter · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited
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Archiginnasio Di Bologna

Libraries ·Bologna ·Closed
4.64K
#1Libraries in Italy#1Libraries in BolognaTravelers' Choice 2026
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About

Archiginnasio Di Bologna is a former University of Bologna palace beside Piazza Maggiore in central Bologna, known for its Anatomical Theatre.

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Archiginnasio Di Bologna — The courtyard’s brick façade, upper windows, and ground-floor arches FrDr · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited
Archiginnasio Di Bologna — The courtyard’s brick façade, upper windows, and ground-floor archesArchiginnasio Di Bologna — The wood-paneled Anatomical Theatre with carved figures and tiered seatingArchiginnasio Di Bologna — A decorated entrance hall with marble walls and a tiled floorArchiginnasio Di Bologna — The long interior arcade with stone columns and patterned flooringArchiginnasio Di Bologna — The courtyard façade and clock tower viewed through an entrance arch at duskArchiginnasio Di Bologna — Painted vaults and a hanging lantern above an ornate interior hallArchiginnasio Di Bologna — A frescoed vaulted ceiling above a small memorial nicheArchiginnasio Di Bologna — Close view of painted decoration across a vaulted ceilingArchiginnasio Di Bologna — A sculpted memorial set into an arched wall nicheArchiginnasio Di Bologna — The Anatomical Theatre’s decorated ceiling viewed from belowArchiginnasio Di Bologna — Rows of painted heraldic plaques on an interior wall

Why go

  • The Anatomical Theatre’s fir-wood amphitheatre, coffered ceiling and statues of Hippocrates and Galen.
  • The two skinless figures by Ercole Lelli supporting the professor’s ornate seat.

Opening hours

Today09:00 – 14:00Show all
Monday09:00 – 19:00
Tuesday09:00 – 19:00
Wednesday09:00 – 19:00
Thursday09:00 – 19:00
Friday09:00 – 19:00
Saturday09:00 – 14:00
SundayClosed

Know before you go

  • Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 09:00–19:00; Saturday, 09:00–14:00.
  • Leave bags and writing materials at the entrance, then collect them when leaving.
  • The library consultation room is temporarily closed.

Interesting facts5

1/5
  1. 139 metres

    The exterior porch runs about 139 metres, with thirty arches supported by sandstone columns.

    Archiginnasio of Bologna - Wikipedia
  2. 850,000 volumes

    The library holds 850,000 volumes and pamphlets, including 2,000 incunabula and about 15,000 16th-century editions.

    Archiginnasio of Bologna - Wikipedia

  3. The central courtyard has two tiers of loggias around the former church of Santa Maria dei Bulgari.

    Archiginnasio of Bologna - Wikipedia

  4. Busts of university lecturers from the 17th century line the lower portico.

    Archiginnasio of Bologna - Wikipedia

  5. The wall decoration is described as the largest existing collection of heraldic murals.

    Archiginnasio

Shorts

History

Designed by Antonio Morandi, it opened in 1563 and became the University of Bologna’s main building. The university left in 1803. The Anatomical Theatre, built for anatomy teaching, was damaged by bombing in 1944 and reconstructed from surviving pieces.

  1. 1562–1563Pope Pius IV commissioned the palace through papal legates Charles Borromeo and Pier Donato Cesi. Antonio Morandi, known as il Terribilia, designed it. Built to bring the law and arts schools together, it opened on October 21, 1563.
  2. 1636Antonio Levanti built the Anatomical Theatre for anatomy lectures and demonstrations.
  3. 1803The University moved out, and medical studies were transferred to Palazzo Poggi.
  4. 1838The municipal library moved into the palace and has remained there.
  5. 1842Rossini’s Stabat Mater received its first performance in the Sala dello Stabat Mater, conducted by Gaetano Donizetti.
Show all
  1. 1944Allied bombing damaged the Anatomical Theatre. It was rebuilt using surviving pieces recovered from the rubble.

Don't miss

  • Anatomical TheatreSee its fir-wood amphitheatre, coffered ceiling and statues, including the figures by Ercole Lelli.Upper floor
  • Statue of Gaspare TagliacozziThe statue shows Tagliacozzi holding a nose.Anatomical Theatre
  • Student coats of armsThe coats of arms identify students’ home cities or countries and their names.Walls, vaults and staircases

Sources: Archiginnasio of Bologna - Wikipedia · Bologna - Wikivoyage (see) · Archiginnasio · Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio - Wikipedia · Palais de l'Archiginnasio - Wikipedia · Archiginnasio di Bologna - Wikipedia · checked 27 Oct 2026

Where
Piazza Galvani 1 Galleria Cavour, Bologna

Questions and answers

When is Archiginnasio Di Bologna open?

Monday–Friday, 09:00–19:00; Saturday, 09:00–14:00.

How do I get to Archiginnasio Di Bologna from Bologna’s centre?

It stands in central Bologna, just south of Piazza Maggiore.

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