Palazzo dell'Archiginnasio e Teatro Anatomico

The Archiginnasio Palace in Bologna housed the city’s university from 1563 to 1805. Its standout room is the Teatro Anatomico, an amphitheatre where medical students watched anatomy lessons and public dissections. Look for the intricate all-wood interior, the life-size anatomical figures known as Gli Spellati, and the Apollo sculpture above the seats. The palace also holds around 6,000 coats of arms and a major library. An audio guide or guided tour adds context to the building’s academic history.

A palace built for university life

The Archiginnasio was home to Bologna’s university from 1563 to 1805. The building’s academic past is visible in its many coats of arms, around 6,000 in total. The palace is also home to a major library.

The rooms offer a sense of the institution that once brought teaching and study under one roof. For visitors drawn to architecture, education or the history of medicine, the building gives context to the Anatomical Theatre within it.

Inside the Teatro Anatomico

The Teatro Anatomico was used for anatomy classes, where medical students watched dissections. Its amphitheatre layout directed attention towards the teaching space, and its elaborate woodwork makes the room distinctive.

Look for the life-size anatomical figures called Gli Spellati, whose carved bodies reveal muscles and skeletal detail, and the Apollo sculpture above. The room joins medical teaching with sculptural decoration. An audio guide provides context as you move through the highlights; a guided tour is another way to learn about the palace’s history.