Home of the first permanent anatomical theatre
University of Padua
The University of Padua has had its seat in the Palazzo del Bo since 1493, and inside it is the world's first permanent anatomical theatre, a model copied by universities across Europe.
- 4Buildings
- 3Traditions
- 1545Oldest · Orto botanico di Padova
- 1769Newest · Palazzo Maldura
Campus map and Look Around
Tap a numbered pin to see that building from the street with Apple Look Around.
Planning the visit
- Fly intoVenice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
Venice Marco Polo is the nearest major airport. From there, buses and trains via Venice Mestre reach Padua.
- Getting aroundWalking / Tram / Bus
The university's historic buildings are spread through Padua's old centre, so walking is the easiest way to see them. Trams and buses cover the longer hops.
- Colors and teams
Italian is the language of the city and of most teaching at the university.
4 buildings to stamp
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Photo: Kalibos at Italian Wikipedia., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Anatomical Theatre of Padua
Via VIII Febbraio 2, 35122 Padua
Inaugurated in 1595 by Girolamo Fabrici of Acquapendente, this is the first permanent anatomical theatre in the world. It became the model for the anatomical theatres built at Europe's main universities in the 17th century.
- Built
- 1595
- Architect
- Paolo Sarpi and Dario Varotari
- Style
- Renaissance
- Today
- Historic theatre in the Palazzo del Bo
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Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons Orto botanico di Padova
Orto Botanico, Padua
Founded in 1545, this is the world's oldest academic botanical garden still in its original place. Its plan is a perfect square inside an 84-metre circle, split into quarters by paths that point to the four compass directions. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Built
- 1545
- Architect
- Daniele Barbaro
- Style
- Renaissance garden
- Today
- University botanical garden
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Photo: Ivanfurlanis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons La Specola
La Specola, Padua
A 14th-century castle tower that was turned into an astronomical observatory in 1767. Its lower observatory sits 16 metres up and its upper observatory 35 metres up, and the university used it until the 1930s.
- Built
- 1767
- Architect
- Unknown (medieval castle tower)
- Style
- Medieval tower
- Today
- Historic observatory
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Photo: Stefano Chinellato, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Palazzo Maldura
Palazzo Maldura, Padua
This 16th-century palazzo was remodelled in 1769 by Giovan Battista Novello for the lawyer Andrea Maldura. Its rooms keep many frescoes, and today it houses the university's Department of Language Studies and Literature.
- Built
- 1769
- Architect
- Giovan Battista Novello
- Style
- Venetian palazzo
- Today
- University department
3 traditions to check off
Stamped! keeps these as a checklist, so you can tick each one off on the visit.
Galileo's Lectern
The wooden lectern Galileo is said to have lectured from, built for him by his own students according to tradition, stands at the entrance of the Sala dei Quaranta in Palazzo Bo. Visitors can see it on a guided tour of the palace.
Don't Jump the Chain
Local superstition holds that students should never jump over the chain in front of Palazzo Bo, or their studies will suffer. Visitors can see the chain and step around it.
Caffè Pedrocchi
The historic café beside Palazzo Bo has been a meeting place for students and professors since 1831, and students may sit in its green room without buying anything. Visitors can stop for its mint coffee and look for the bullet hole left from the 1848 student uprising in the white room.
Know University of Padua well?
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Stamp all 4 on your visit.
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