When I first glimpsed Galileo’s wooden lectern through the doorway of the Great Hall in Padua, it struck me that this wasn’t just a university building — it’s where Western science fundamentally changed direction. The Palazzo Bo has served as the University of Padua’s headquarters since 1539, and walking its corridors feels like stepping through 800 years of intellectual history. The world’s oldest permanent anatomical theatre is upstairs, a six-tiered wooden structure where Renaissance scholars first systematically dissected human bodies to understand anatomy.
Quick overview
The Palazzo Bo charges €8 for adults aged 26-64. EU university students and those under 25 pay €4. Guided tours run Monday to Friday at set times (10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm), lasting approximately 45 minutes. English tours depart at 11:30am and 4:30pm. Entry is only possible with a guided tour—you cannot explore independently. Some halls may be unavailable when university activities are scheduled.
At a glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | €8 adults (26-64); €6 reduced; €4 youth/students; Family ticket €18 |
| Opening hours | Tours Mon-Fri: 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm |
| Address | Via VIII Febbraio 2, 35122 Padua |
| Free for | Children under 6; University of Padua community; disabled visitors with assistants |
| Last entry | Final tour departs 5:30pm |
How much does the Palazzo Bo cost?
The pricing is straightforward, though various discounts apply. Cash and card payments are accepted at the ticket office.
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Full price | €8.00 | Adults aged 26-64 |
| Reduced price | €6.00 | Over 65; teachers; UniPd Alumni members; visitors with tickets from other Padua attractions |
| Special reduced | €4.00 | Youth aged 13-25; school groups; civil service volunteers |
| Family ticket | €18.00 | Two adults plus up to three children under 18 |
| Children 6-12 | €4.00 | When accompanied by paying adult |
| Free entry | Free | Children under 6; University of Padua students/staff; disabled visitors with assistants; journalists |
Is the Palazzo Bo free to enter?
Only for specific groups: children under six, University of Padua students and staff, disabled visitors with assistants, and accredited journalists. Everyone else pays. The €8 standard admission feels reasonable given you’re accessing one of Europe’s most historically significant academic buildings. No free days or twilight discounts exist.
What time does the Palazzo Bo open?
Tours run Monday to Friday only, departing at fixed times: 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm, and 5:30pm. Italian-language tours run at 10:30am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm, and 5:30pm. English-language tours depart at 11:30am and 4:30pm. The ticket office opens Monday to Friday 10am-6pm, and Saturday to Sunday 9am-6pm, though weekend tours aren’t available. On high-demand days, additional tours may be added. The palazzo closes on public holidays.
Do I need to book Palazzo Bo tickets in advance?
No, though it’s advisable during peak tourist season (April-October). Turn up at the ticket office in the corridor between the two courtyards and join the next available tour. Tours accommodate approximately 30 people. Pre-booking is possible online through Mida Ticket. Prepaid reservations cannot be modified, cancelled, or refunded.
History
The University of Padua was founded in 1222 by scholars and students from Bologna seeking intellectual freedom. For over 300 years, professors rented or purchased their own teaching spaces using their wages. In 1493, the university acquired the Hospitium Bovis, an inn “at the Sign of the Ox” near the butchers’ quarter. The palazzo takes its name from this ox emblem.
In 1539, architect Andrea Moroni renovated multiple buildings along the now-underground Riviera dei Ponti Romani canal, creating the palazzo we see today. The Ancient Courtyard’s double loggia features hundreds of coats of arms—until the late 17th century, students and teachers were commemorated this way.
Andreas Vesalius taught anatomy here from 1537-1543, writing his revolutionary De humani corporis fabrica during this period. Galileo Galilei taught mathematics and physics from 1592 to 1610, his lectures so popular he was permitted to teach in the Great Hall normally reserved for jurists.
In 1595, anatomist Girolamo Fabrici d’Acquapendente established the world’s first permanent anatomical theatre. Previously, temporary wooden structures were erected for public dissections then dismantled.
Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia became the first woman to receive a university degree here in 1678. In the 20th century, architect Gio Ponti renovated the interior, creating the distinctive modernist aesthetic visible in the Rectorate suite.
What to see and do
The tour begins in the Ancient Courtyard, its walls embedded with centuries of coats of arms.
The Anatomical Theatre is the obvious highlight—a wooden, cone-shaped structure with six elliptical tiers accommodating 300 students around a central dissection table. A Latin inscription above the entrance translates as “This is a place where the dead are pleased to help the living.” The theatre operated from 1595 until 1872.
The Great Hall served as a dining room when this was an inn, later transforming into the main lecture theatre. Galileo’s wooden lectern is preserved in the Hall of Forty, where it remained until mid-19th century renovations. The decorated ceiling and spatial reorganization by Gio Ponti date from 1938-1942.
The Hall of Medicine features frescoes by futurist painter Achille Funi from 1942, whilst Ponti designed the furniture. A shrine contains skulls of seven professors who donated their bodies for scientific research.
The New Courtyard, built in the 20th century, showcases Gio Ponti’s modernist vision. The sculptor Arturo Martini’s Palinuro (1947) honours Partisan commander Primo Visentin. Jannis Kounellis’s Resistenza e Liberazione (1995) commemorates Italy’s liberation from fascism. Tours cannot guarantee access to all areas—university activities take precedence, and certain halls may be closed.
What’s included with your ticket?
- 45-minute guided tour in English or Italian
- Access to the Ancient Courtyard and New Courtyard
- Entry to the world’s oldest permanent anatomical theatre (subject to availability)
- View of Galileo’s original lectern in the Hall of Forty
- Access to the Great Hall, Hall of Medicine, and Hall of Law (subject to availability)
- Viewing of 20th-century artworks by Ponti, Martini, and others
Things to do near Palazzo Bo
This often-overlooked city near Venice in the Veneto region of Italy has plenty to offer, including…
Scrovegni Chapel (600m, 8-minute walk) – Giotto’s 14th-century frescoes covering the interior walls are considered masterpieces of Western art. The chapel requires advance booking with timed entry limited to 15 minutes for preservation.
Basilica of Saint Anthony (800m, 10-minute walk) – Major pilgrimage site housing the tomb of St. Anthony of Padua. The basilica combines Romanesque and Byzantine architecture, with Donatello’s bronze works adorning the high altar.
Prato della Valle (1.2km, 15-minute walk) – Europe’s second-largest square at 90,000 square metres. The elliptical plaza features a canal surrounded by 78 statues of notable Paduans. A large Saturday market fills the space.
Botanical Garden of Padua (Orto Botanico) (1km, 12-minute walk) – The world’s oldest botanical garden in its original location, established in 1545, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Over 6,000 plant species across historic and modern sections.
Caffè Pedrocchi (200m, 3-minute walk) – Historic café open since 1772, once known as “the café without doors” for its 24/7 operation. The neo-classical interior features frescoed rooms. Try the signature Pedrocchi coffee with mint.
Practical tips
- Book the 11:30am or 4:30pm English tour—other times are Italian only
- Arrive 15 minutes early to collect tickets and gather at the meeting point
- Photography allowed in most areas but not the Anatomical Theatre
- The palazzo is located in a limited traffic zone (ZTL) — use Park Rabin or Padova Centro Park
- From the train station, take tram Sir 1 to Ponti Romani stop (10 minutes)
- Some areas involve stairs — mobility-impaired visitors should ring ahead
- Tours proceed regardless of group size
- Budget 45 minutes for the tour itself, plus time before and after
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Palazzo Bo without a guide?
No. Entry is exclusively via guided tours. The palazzo remains an active university building with ongoing academic activities, so independent access isn’t permitted.
Is photography allowed?
Yes in most areas, though the Anatomical Theatre prohibits photography to preserve the delicate 16th-century structure. Flash photography is banned throughout.
What if I miss my tour time?
Arrive at least 10 minutes early. Late arrivals cannot join tours already in progress and must purchase tickets for the next available tour, subject to availability. Prepaid tickets cannot be refunded.
Which language should I choose?
English tours depart at 11:30am and 4:30pm. Italian tours run at 10:30am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm, and 5:30pm. Both provide the same content and duration.
More Veneto travel
Other Veneto travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- What you need to know before visiting the San Nicolo church in Treviso.
- Exploring Palladian architecture in Vicenza.
- Practical guide to visiting the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza.
- A guide to Verona for first time visitors.
- Why it makes sense to do a Valpolicella wine tour from Verona.
