The Palazzo del Bo or Bo Palace, is the historical seat of University of Padua since 1493, it is still home to the Rectorate and the School of Law. It is also home to the oldest anatomical theatre in the world.

The University of Padua which is the second oldest University in Italy and the fifth oldest University in the world and was founded by renegade scholars from Bologna seeking greater intellectual freedom in  1222.

Galilei who, in his own words, spent the happiest 18 years of his life living and teaching in Padua. At Palazzo Bo you can see the wooden desk from which Galileo used to give his lectures to a captivated crowd of students and citizens. Elena Cornaro Piscopia – the first woman with a PhD in the world – is also an alumna of the University of Padua. You can see her statue and learn more about her incredible story during a visit to Palazzo Bo.

The main courtyard, with its many amazing frescoes, is free for anyone to visit, however, a tour of the university will allow you to see so much more.

The Palazzo Bo appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Padova!

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