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University of Bologna in Pictures

19/10/2026 14 photos

The University of Bologna is known for its long academic history and for being woven into the city rather than set apart on a single campus. In the historic center, university signs, lecture spaces, libraries, and departments appear among Bologna’s streets and squares. Palazzo Poggi and the former university building at the Archiginnasio are notable stops for seeing how academic life shares space with historic architecture.

Explore on foot and look beyond the grand façades: porticoes link streets and squares, while courtyards, staircases, and libraries reveal quieter university interiors. The Archiginnasio area also sits beside Piazza Galvani and the Basilica of San Petronio, making it easy to combine university landmarks with nearby city sights. For a broader view, compare these central palaces with university buildings in the Navile district.

Plan your visit

Look for university signs
Academic life is woven into streets and squares across the city.
Notice the porticoes
Bologna’s covered walkways connect many parts of the urban landscape.
Compare architecture
Observe how university spaces share the city with historic buildings.
Palazzo Poggi, a University of Bologna building on Via Zamboni
Palazzo Poggi is one of the University of Bologna’s historic academic buildings on Via Zamboni. Its street-facing setting shows how university life is woven into the city center. Photo: Utente:Mattia Barci / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
The wing of the Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio containing the Anatomical Theatre
The Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio once housed the University of Bologna. Look for its wing containing the Anatomical Theatre, a reminder of the university’s long teaching history. Photo: Luca Borghi / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · Public domain
Cloister of the former convent of San Giovanni, now a university complex
This cloister belongs to the former convent of San Giovanni, now a university complex. Its sheltered courtyard offers a quieter view of academic spaces within historic Bologna. Photo: Marco Chemello (WMIT) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Library in Palazzo Hercolani, home to a University of Bologna department
A library occupies Palazzo Hercolani, home to the University of Bologna’s Political Science Department. The location on Strada Maggiore offers another example of academic rooms in historic buildings. Photo: MenkinAlRire / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Main staircase inside Palazzo Hercolani, now a university department
The main staircase at Palazzo Hercolani leads through the building now used by the university’s Political Science Department. Its formal interior contrasts with the everyday academic use of the palace. Photo: MenkinAlRire / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Pallas Athena sculpture on the main staircase of Palazzo Hercolani
A sculpture of Pallas Athena stands on the main staircase of Palazzo Hercolani. The palace now houses the University of Bologna’s Political Science Department on Strada Maggiore. Photo: MenkinAlRire / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Aula Dotti in the University Library of Bologna
Aula Dotti is a room in the University Library of Bologna. When exploring the university’s historic center, it is a useful example of the scholarly interiors alongside its streetside buildings. Photo: Mattia Barci / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
A lecture in the Sala Affreschi on Via Zamboni
A lecture by Camillo Pellizzari takes place in the Sala Affreschi on Via Zamboni. The scene gives a glimpse of teaching in one of the university’s city-center spaces. Photo: Alexmar983 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 · CC BY 4.0
Department of Management building on Via Capo di Lucca
The Department of Management is located on Via Capo di Lucca. University buildings are spread through Bologna, so exploring the surrounding streets helps reveal the campus’s urban character. Photo: Armin Kleiner / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Institute and Museum of Mineralogy at the University of Bologna
The Institute and Museum of Mineralogy is part of the University of Bologna. Its location adds a museum stop to a walk among the university’s buildings and collections. Photo: Andrijko Z. / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Piazza Galvani and the portico leading to the Archiginnasio
Piazza Galvani lies behind the Basilica of San Petronio and in front of the portico leading to the Archiginnasio. The square offers an easy landmark while exploring this historic university area. Photo: Dimitris Kamaras from Athens, Greece / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 · CC BY 2.0
Door knob with a coat-of-arms relief at the Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio
A door knob with a coat-of-arms relief marks a small architectural detail in the Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio, the former university building. Look closely for ornament beyond the palace’s grand spaces. Photo: Walmaul / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buildings in the University of Bologna’s Navile district complex
These buildings belong to the University of Bologna’s Navile district complex. They show another side of the university beyond the historic-center palaces. Photo: Mattia Barci / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Exterior of the Navile campus library at the University of Bologna
The Navile campus library provides a modern study space within the University of Bologna. It offers a contrast with the historic palaces that house other university departments. Photo: M.Musca (GLAM NILDE) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0

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