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All Italy Bologna Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio

Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio

In the world's oldest university is a stunning 17th century anatomical theater carved from spruce.

Bologna, Italy

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Allison Meier
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The Anatomical Theatre of Archiginnasio   Maria Firsova/Flickr
Ceiling of the theater   Maria Firsova/Flickr
Teacher’s chair   Luca Borghi/Wikimedia
Dissection Table   Luca Borghi/Wikimedia
Statue of Hippocrates   Luca Borghi/Wikimedia
Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio, with the entrance to the anatomical theater   Luca Borghi/Wikimedia
  The Retired Travelers / Atlas Obscura User
  mate / Atlas Obscura User
Dissection table   talkinmonkey / Atlas Obscura User
Teacher’s podium and Spellati   talkinmonkey / Atlas Obscura User
Theater ceiling featuring Apollo in the center   talkinmonkey / Atlas Obscura User
  mate / Atlas Obscura User
  mate / Atlas Obscura User
  mate / Atlas Obscura User
Hippocrates  
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About

At the world's oldest continuously operating university is one of the most beautiful anatomical theaters.

The Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio at the University of Bologna in Italy, founded in 1088, is completely carved from spruce with its imposing marble table still in position before the teacher's chair. The theater was started in 1636 and completed in 1737. And although heavily damaged during World War II, it was painstakingly recreated to appear much as it did when candlelit for dissections of humans and animals alike.

Each corner of the anatomical theater is elaborately decorated. Carved sculptures of physicians like Hippocrates stand in niches, while alongside the central teacher's chair are two "Spellati" — anatomical models with their muscles exposed. In the center of the ceiling is a carved figure of Apollo, surrounded by astrological symbols, and presiding over it all is a representation of anatomy as a woman, who is being offered a thigh bone by an angel. 

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Anatomical Theaters Medicine Universities

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Open Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 6:00; Saturdays 10:00 to 7:00; Sundays and holidays 10:00 to 2:00.Tickets are €3 for 18 and older, free for under 18, and can be purchased at the entrance.

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Added By

Allison

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talkinmonkey, Dark Nebula Deluxe, mate, The Retired Travelers...

  • talkinmonkey
  • Dark Nebula Deluxe
  • mate
  • The Retired Travelers
  • cleblancdavis
  • bn4vbjcmzz

Published

May 18, 2014

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  • http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/650788?uid=3739832&uid=2&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21104171768007
  • http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2601524/pdf/yjbm00541-0001.pdf
Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio
Archiginnasio of Bologna
Piazza Galvani, 1
Bologna, 40124
Italy
44.492175, 11.343394
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