Palazzo Bo
Palazzo del Bo
The main building of the University of Padua, founded in 1222, which houses the world's first permanent anatomy theatre and Galileo's lectern.
A guided tour (about 45 minutes, booking required, about €8) takes in the oval wooden anatomy theatre completed in 1595, the wooden lectern used by Galileo, a statue of Elena Cornaro Piscopia, the first woman to earn a doctorate, and an ancient courtyard hung with coats of arms. Opposite the Palazzo Bo is Caffè Pedrocchi, and it is fun to watch graduates wearing laurel wreaths celebrating in the streets.
Opening hours
Tours approx. 09:30–17:00; usually closed Sundays
Nearby sights
- Caffè Pedrocchi
- Palazzo della Ragione
- Piazza delle Erbe & Piazza della Frutta
- Piazza dei Signori & Clock Tower
- Church of the Eremitani
- Padua Jewish Ghetto
- Scrovegni Chapel
- Eremitani Civic Museums