The Archiginnasio is the large building on Piazza Galvani, just off Piazza Maggiore in the centre of Bologna. Built between 1562 and 1563 on the orders of Cardinal Carlo Borromeo and designed by the architect Antonio Morandi — known as Terribilia — it served as the main seat of the University of Bologna until 1803. Since 1838 it has been home to the Municipal Library. Its courtyards and corridors are covered floor to ceiling in the carved coats of arms of former students: around 6,000 of them, representing the centuries of academic life that passed through this building.
The Building
The layout follows a Renaissance plan with two large courtyards, a long arched portico with forty-five arches, and two upper-floor lecture halls: the Sala degli Artisti (now a reading room) and the Sala dei Legisti, known today as the Stabat Mater Hall, where public lectures were held and Rossini conducted the premiere of his Stabat Mater in 1842. Both rooms are lined with the coats of arms and inscriptions of students and faculty from the 16th century onward — a visual record of five centuries of university life.
The Anatomical Theatre
The most unusual room in the building is the Anatomical Theatre, built in 1637 by Antonio Levante for the teaching of anatomy. The entire room is carved from wood: tiered seating surrounds a central dissection table, and the ceiling is decorated with the figure of Apollo — god of medicine — surrounded by carved constellations. At either side of the professor’s chair stand two life-size statues of the “Spellati” (Skinned Men) by Ercole Lelli, depicting flayed male figures in classical poses. They were designed as anatomical teaching tools. The room was heavily damaged in the 1944 bombing of Bologna and rebuilt from surviving fragments.
The Municipal Library
The library now holds over 800,000 volumes, including manuscripts and early printed books from the university’s history. Access to the main reading rooms is free; the collection is used by researchers and scholars. The library also hosts exhibitions and events through the year.
Practical Information
- Building open: Monday to Saturday, 9:00–19:00. Closed Sunday.
- Anatomical Theatre and Stabat Mater Hall: 10:00–18:00, ticket required. May be closed during library events — check ahead.
- Admission: €3 per person. Free for under-18s, disabled visitors, and cultural card holders. Tickets limited — book in advance at +39 051 6583166.
- Location: Piazza Galvani 1, Bologna — two minutes on foot from Piazza Maggiore
- Time needed: 30–45 minutes for the Anatomical Theatre and main halls; longer if using the library
If you are spending a few days in Bologna and want a fuller picture of what the city offers beyond the main sights, see our guide to things to do in Bologna.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Archiginnasio in Bologna?
The Archiginnasio is a 16th-century palace on Piazza Galvani, off Piazza Maggiore, that served as the main building of the University of Bologna from 1563 to 1803. It is now home to the Municipal Library and contains the Anatomical Theatre, one of the most intact historic university rooms in Europe. Its walls and corridors are covered in approximately 6,000 carved coats of arms of former students and faculty.
Is the Anatomical Theatre worth visiting?
Yes — it is one of the most unusual rooms in Bologna and one of the least crowded. The entire space is carved from wood: tiered seating, a domed ceiling decorated with Apollo and the constellations, and two life-size flayed figures by the sculptor Ercole Lelli. It takes about 20 minutes to see properly and is far more striking in person than photographs suggest. The €3 ticket also covers the Stabat Mater Hall.
How much does it cost to visit the Archiginnasio?
Entering the building and courtyard is free. The Anatomical Theatre and Stabat Mater Hall require a €3 ticket per person. Entry is free for under-18s, disabled visitors, and cultural card holders. Tickets are available on-site or by calling +39 051 6583166. Numbers are limited — it is worth calling ahead in peak season.
When is the Archiginnasio open?
The building is open Monday to Saturday, 9:00–19:00. Closed Sunday. The Anatomical Theatre and Stabat Mater Hall are accessible from 10:00 to 18:00 and may be temporarily closed when the library has events scheduled in those rooms — it is worth checking before you visit.
What are the Spellati statues?
The Spellati (“Skinned Men”) are two life-size wooden statues of flayed male figures that stand at either side of the professor’s chair in the Anatomical Theatre. They were created by the Bologna sculptor Ercole Lelli in the 18th century as anatomical teaching aids, modelled on real human bodies. They are simultaneously works of art and functional scientific objects — a combination typical of early modern medicine and unusual anywhere.
How long does it take to visit the Archiginnasio?
Allow 30–45 minutes for the Anatomical Theatre, the Stabat Mater Hall, and a walk through the main courtyard. The building is compact and easy to cover at a relaxed pace. If you want to spend time in the library reading rooms, allow more. It is also worth pausing in the courtyard to read some of the inscriptions on the coat-of-arms tablets — they span from the 16th century to the early 19th.
Combining the Archiginnasio with a Food Tour?
The Archiginnasio takes under an hour. Our Foodies Delight food tour departs early morning and returns to Bologna by mid-afternoon — the two fit easily into the same day.
See the Food Tour →Discover more from Emilia Delizia
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