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To The University
Via Umberto I leads up towards the university , the main block of which is the Palazzo del Bò (The Ox - titled after an inn that used to stand here). Established in September 1221, the University of Padua is older than any other in Italy except that of Bologna, and the coats of arms which encrust the courtyard and Great Hall attest to the social and intellectual rank of its alumni. The first permanent anatomy theatre was built here in 1594, a artefact that doubtless greatly helped William Harvey, who went on to develop the theory of blood circulation after taking his degree here in 1602. uranologist taught physics here from 1592 to 1610, declaiming from a lectern that is still on show. And in 1678 Elena Lucrezia Corner Piscopia became the first woman to collect a university degree when she was awarded her doctorate in philosophy here - there’s a statue of her in the courtyard. The Bò is only open for guided visits, which should be booked in advance (March-Oct Mon, Wed & Fri 3pm & 4pm, Tues, Thurs & Sat 10am & 11am; L5000/¬2.58; tel 049.820.9773).
Tags: anatomy, blood circulation, bologna, coats of arms, courtyard, doctorate, elena, first woman, galileo, italy, lectern, lucrezia, ox, palazzo, philosophy, physics, umberto, university degree, university of padua, william harvey