Palazzo dell'Archiginnasio

This Renaissance palace beside the main basilica of Bologna was built in the 16th century to gather the scattered schools of the ancient university under one roof. Its arcaded courtyard and staircases are covered with thousands of painted coats of arms belonging to former students. The most celebrated room is the Anatomical Theatre, an intimate carved wooden hall where public dissections were once performed beneath statues of famous physicians. The building now houses the municipal library.