Photos: Patafisik, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Hugh Llewelyn from Keynsham, UK, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo credits
Photos: Patafisik, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Hugh Llewelyn from Keynsham, UK, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
The oldest university: Archiginnasio and anatomy theatre
Your local guide
Giorgia Zanotti
View profile
Highlights
- Corridors covered in centuries of student coats of arms
- The wooden anatomy theatre built in 1637
- Palazzo Poggi's wax models, seen from the entrance
- Via Zamboni, the university's street then and now
- The story of Galvani's frogs and the first women professors
About this tour
This session goes through the world's oldest university by way of the Archiginnasio and its anatomy theatre. The camera moves through corridors covered in student coats of arms, into the wooden anatomy theatre built in 1637, and past the entrance of Palazzo Poggi, whose wax anatomical models stay just out of the camera's reach. It ends on Via Zamboni, still the university's main street.
After a sound check, the walk moves through the stops above in order, with the guide taking questions about the university's history throughout rather than saving them for the end. A short list of the stories behind Galvani's experiments and the university's early women professors follows the call.
This suits anyone with an interest in the history of science or universities, and anyone curious about a building that has taught students for close to a thousand years. It also suits anyone who wants the story behind Bologna's more unusual claim to fame.
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 10 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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Archiginnasio corridors 21 min
The camera moves through corridors covered floor to ceiling in painted coats of arms, left by centuries of students at what was the original seat of the University of Bologna.
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The anatomy theatre 21 min
Inside the wooden anatomy theatre built in 1637, the camera looks up at tiered seating carved for students to watch dissections, still largely as it stood four centuries ago.
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Palazzo Poggi from the entrance 21 min
From the entrance of Palazzo Poggi, the camera looks in toward the museum's wax anatomical models, and the guide describes what is on display just beyond where the camera can go.
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Via Zamboni 21 min
Walking down Via Zamboni, the university street, the camera takes in the student life still centred here, and the guide tells the story of Galvani's frog experiments and the university's first women professors.
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Your questions 18 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 8 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Lasagne alla bolognese 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 12 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 Archiginnasio and Basilica di Santo Stefano 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 to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
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 and you ask anything as we go.
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 · 12 seats left From 24,00 €
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