Photos: Albertomos, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 Hugh Llewelyn from Keynsham, UK, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 karel291, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo credits
Photos: Albertomos, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 Hugh Llewelyn from Keynsham, UK, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 karel291, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Inside the Archiginnasio's painted courtyard
Your local guide
Chiara Bianchi
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Highlights
- Centuries of painted student crests
- An anatomical theatre shown in photographs
- The world's oldest university, up close
- Layers of heraldry on one wall
- A courtyard built for study
About this tour
This session explores the old Archiginnasio, once the seat of Bologna's university and now covered floor to ceiling in painted coats of arms. You see the courtyard walls up close, layer upon layer of crests left by generations of students. I also describe the building's closed anatomical theatre using photographs held to the camera.
We move slowly through the courtyard since there is a lot to read on the walls themselves, then pause near the entrance to talk through the theatre from images. I take questions throughout rather than only at the end.
It suits anyone interested in university history or heraldry in general. It also works well alongside a session on the newer university district nearby.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Bologna before heading out.
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Painted courtyard walls 21 min
The camera pans slowly along walls covered in painted coats of arms, each one left by a graduating class of students over several centuries of use.
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Old anatomical theatre 21 min
Filming is not allowed inside the anatomical theatre itself, so I hold up photographs of its carved wooden tiers while describing how lectures once ran there.
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Your questions 9 min
Time to ask anything about Bologna: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 4 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Tortellini in brodo and Università, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Rome time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 10 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Bologna, showing you Painted courtyard walls and Old anatomical theatre live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need any background in art?
No. The guide explains what matters as you go, whatever you already know or do not.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk Bologna live with my phone.
Times shown in Rome time (CET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Thu 29 Oct · 10 seats left From 20,00 €
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