Discover Bologna

The Archiginnasio Palace and the Anatomical Theatre

 

Imagine stepping into the inner courtyard of the Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio, a place where history and knowledge have intertwined since 1562–63 when it was built to house all faculties under one roof. Today, it has hosted the Municipal Library since 1838.

In an hour and a half, you will settle into the Aula dei Legisti, the renowned “Stabat Mater,” and be left breathless by the 1637 Anatomical Theatre, with its wooden benches and carved “Skinless Figures.” You will then stroll through frescoed loggias and corridors, adorned with countless coats of arms and monuments to the greatest professors: the largest heraldic mural cycle in the world. A quick yet intense immersion into university Bologna!

 

IN COLLABORATION WITH

IN BRIEF

  • Visit the Anatomical Theatre, former lecture hall for anatomy teaching
  • Choose a guided or audio-guided tour and access exclusive rooms or content
  • Discover the history of the University of Bologna as you step inside its original seat and halls
TOUR DETAILS:

Experience

  • Visit the Anatomical Theatre, the historic wooden hall for teaching anatomy
  • Choose a guided tour or audio guide and access exclusive rooms or content
  • Discover the history of the University of Bologna by entering its historic headquarters and classrooms
 

 

Price

  • With guided tour

- Full: € 12
- Reduced: € 10 (ages 13–18; university students with ID; over 65; participants in the “Discover Bologna” tour with voucher)
- Reduced for Card holders & residents: € 7 (Cultura Card or Bologna Welcome Card holders; residents of Bologna and the Metropolitan City with ID)
- Free for children up to 12; persons with disabilities and one companion.

 

  • With audio guide

- Full: € 10
- Reduced: € 8 (ages 13–18; university students with ID; Cultura Card or Bologna Welcome Card holders)
- Reduced for residents: € 3.50 (residents of Bologna and the Metropolitan City with ID)
- Free for persons with disabilities and their companions
- Free (admission without audio guide) for children up to 12; certified tour guides and tour leaders with ID.

 

  • Groups with own guide

- Per person: € 3.50

 

 

The fee includes

  • With guided tour

- Tour guide
- Admission to the Anatomical Theatre
- Admission to the Stabat Mater hall (when not in use for other activities)
- Exclusive access to the Chapel of St. Mary of the Bulgarians and the Cubiculum Artistarum (when not in use for other activities)

  • With audio guide

- Audioguide to listen to on your own smartphone with headphones
- Card with QR code and unique code for accessing the audio guide
- Unlimited access to the web app to view videos, images, and exclusive content
- Admission to the Anatomical Theatre
- Admission to the Stabat Mater hall (when not in use for other activities)

 

 

Meeting point:

  • Archiginnasio, Piazza Galvani 1, Bologna
  • For audio guides and groups with their own guide, entrance is on the first floor.
  • For guided tours, meet the guide in the inner courtyard.

 

 

Accessibility:

  • Visitors with mobility issues can access the library or visit the Palace via the entrance at Via de’ Foscherari no. 2 (see map).

  • During library opening hours (Monday–Friday 9:00–18:30 and Saturday 9:00–13:30), ring the bell on the right and wait or call +39 051 2196616 or 051 2196622.
  • On Saturdays from 13:30 to 17:30 please call +39 051 6583166 (Anatomical Theatre ticket office).

 

 

Hours:

  • Audio guide entry:
- Monday–Saturday
- From 10:00 to 17:40 (entries every 10 minutes)
 
  • Guided tour:
- July – August
- Monday–Saturday
- At 11:30, 15:30 (tours in Italian)

 

Languages:

ITA / ENG

 
 
 

Cancellation:

Full refund or booking modification possible up to 24 hours before the activity start time.

 

 

Regulations:

  • Booking: Reservation is mandatory.
  • Timing: Late arrivals will not be admitted to the next slot, and no refunds will be given. Please arrive 15 minutes before your selected time for audio guide entry or 10 minutes before guided tours.
  • Audio guide: You must use your own smartphone and headphones.
  • Animals: No animals of any size allowed.
  • Baggage: No large bags or backpacks allowed.
  • Bicycles: No bicycles allowed.
  • Reductions: Reduced tickets require presentation of proof (Cultura Card, Bologna Welcome Card, residency ID, student IDs, guide/accompanist IDs, etc.).
  • Stabat Mater: If the hall is occupied by other activities, a second entry within seven days is allowed upon showing the same voucher.
  • Library: The library area is not accessible for tourist visits.

 

* This tour is organized externally by Bologna Welcome and is not managed directly by the hotel