The Palazzo del Bo in Padua is an architectural jewel that tells the thousand-year history of the University of this city. This complex, originally an inn with the sign of a bucranium in the fifteenth century, became the main seat of the University in 1539, which has since affectionately adopted the nickname “The Bo.”
The transformations of the Palazzo del Bo in Padua
Palazzo del Bo has undergone several transformations over the centuries. In 1500, the Bergamo architect Andrea Moroni made radical changes, while in the twentieth century, the Rector Carlo Anti led an important renovation project. The latter entrusted the work to the architect Giò Ponti, known for his contribution to 20th century design and architecture, and expanded the structure with the creation of the evocative New Courtyard , designed by the architect Ettore Fagiuoli.
The symbol of the Palazzo del Bo, the ox skull , originally from the sign of the old inn, was adopted by the University in 1539 and incorporated into the university's official coat of arms. This skull, which represents its humble origin, has become an icon of the University of Padua, making the nickname “Il Bo” familiar to the entire university.
An in-depth look at Palazzo del Bo
Palazzo del Bo is a living museum , enriched over the years by works by renowned artists such as Filippo De Pisis, Giò Pomodoro and Jannis Kounellis. The historic classrooms of the building are used for official ceremonies and for the awarding of diplomas to the Faculties of Law, Medicine, Letters and Sciences.
The main atrium welcomes visitors with the Atrium of Heroes, dedicated to the students who died for independence in 1848 and during the Resistance. Here stands the statue of Elena Lucrezia Cornaro , the first woman in the world to earn a degree in 1678, representing an icon of inspiration for gender equality in academic education.
In the nineteenth century and in the second half of the twentieth century, the Bo underwent a significant expansion and took on its definitive shape. Carlo Anti, rector from 1932 to 1943, commissioned renowned figures of art and culture to redesign the University. The architect Ettore Fagiuoli completes the final reorganization of the Palace, creating, among other things, the New Courtyard. At the end of the Second World War, Gio Ponti gave the Bo a revolutionary image through his conception of furnishings, frescoes and ornaments.
Contemporary art makes its presence with pictorial and sculptural works by some of the main Italian artists of the twentieth century. The statue of Palinuro (1947), the work of Arturo Martini, is a tribute to the Resistance dedicated to a partisan commander. The Bo rooms host paintings and mosaics by artists such as Filippo De Pisis, Achille Funi, Ferruccio Ferrazzi and Gino Severini. In 1995, Jannis Kounellis created the sculpture Resistenza e Liberazione on the walls of the New Courtyard, evoking the fight against fascism and the liberation of Italy.
The courtyards of the Palazzo del Bo
Palazzo del Bo boasts two fascinating courtyards. The Ancient Courtyard , designed by Andrea Moroni in the sixteenth century and completed by Vincenzo Scamozzi, is surrounded by a double loggia of Doric and Ionic columns. The walls are decorated with coats of arms of the rectors and professors who contributed to the history of the University.
The New Courtyard , designed in neoclassical style by Ettore Fagiuoli, connects the various structures of the complex. Characterized by the presence of fascist elements of the time, such as the fasces, this courtyard hosts significant works such as the stele dedicated to Galileo Galilei by Giò Pomodoro and the sculpture "Resistenza e Liberazione" by Jannis Kounellis.
The rooms of Palazzo del Bo
So let's see which rooms are worth visiting in this iconic university building.
The Sala dei Forty , frescoed by Giacomo Del Forno in 1942, preserves the portraits of forty students from twenty-three European countries. Here is also the ancient chair of Galileo Galilei, who taught mathematics and physics in Padua between 1592 and 1610.
The Aula Magna , however, was originally the dining room of the Bo hotel, is now reserved for official ceremonies and displays frescoes by Pino Casarini which narrate the political history of the University. Among the gems of the Palazzo del Bo, the Anatomical Theater , built by Gerolamo D'Acquapendente in 1594. This theater, the oldest of its kind still in use in the world, has an elliptical plan with six orders of balconies, allowing three hundred students to follow anatomy lessons. Giovanbattista Morgagni, a pioneer of anatomic pathology, taught here, making this place a tangible testimony to the evolution of medical science.
Padua is a city waiting to be discovered
Padua, with its nightlife, presents itself as a city that pulsates with energy during the evening hours. The exploration of its university neighborhoods becomes a compelling and complete experience, so much so as to prove unique. To fully immerse yourself in the essence of Padua, it is imperative to explore the magnificent Botanical Garden , a green jewel that contains centuries of botanical history.
Booking a stay in Padua is an intelligent and safe strategy to take full advantage of all the opportunities that this fascinating city has to offer and discover, for example, the street art culture that rages here . In addition to guaranteeing a comfortable and welcoming stay, the stay also offers the possibility of carefully planning the days of exploration.
