Originally built in 1600s for the Jesuits, then passed to the Barnabite Order and then became the high school of Luigi Galvani. Inside is a museum with ancient machines used by Wimshurst and Holtz and in the Aldini Valeriani Institute. The Zambeccari library is fascinating with frescoes, sculputured balconies and a baroque rhomboid staircase.

This library named after one of the wealthy Montanari’s is part of the ancient parish of Alemmani. Although opened only in recent years it contains an interesting collection of books on local interest but in particular many of the local plays written and acted out in the Bolognese dialect next door.

Next door to San Domenico in Piazza San Domenico. Inside is a beautiful three-aisled Renaissance library dating back to 1466 containing precious books. In use today as the seat of the faculty of philosophy and theology. Another room has a wooden-paneled coffer ceiling and a Baroque painting Ecstasy of St. Thomas Aquinas by Franceschini.

Inside Rizzoli Orthopaedic Hospital this magnificent 16th century library made of walnut wood contains one of the rarest collections of literature in orthopaedics. Designed by Monti and named after King Umberto I. Frescoes and art by Canuti and Haffner adorn the rooms. Antique medical tools on display donated by Prof. Putti from Roman – Renaissance periods.

Built from 1549 by the Poggi brothers over many years and extensions. Pellegrino Tibaldi and Bartolomeo Triachini were responsible for the designs. Footage includes Aula Carducci. Hallway displays busts of those who influenced greatly the university’s reputation. Pope Benedict XIV assisted with financial aid for construction during difficult times.

Established in 1911 as the Law Seminar Institute by professor Francesco Brandileone. Over the years various changes took place to the structure of the department and function. It took the name of Antonio Cicu, who was director in 1927, only in 2000. The main library is unusually a bright-white colour, nevertheless, designed for serious study.

Erected in 1330 by Gera Pepoli for Camaldolese monks. The façade shows exquisite detail by Sperandio Meglioli. It was home to a polittico (polyptich) by Giotto. Now a library named in honour of Amilcar Cabral and specializing in politics and economics of Asian, African and Latin American countries.

Erected around 1500 by Andrea and Giacomo Marchesi da Formigine. An ancient sculpture of Ercole by Giuseppe Mazza adorns a niche in the court yard with double loggia and Doric columns. Some rooms display beautiful tempera paintings by Antonio Rossi and Carlo Lodi. This is now the seat of the Faculty department of Bologna University.

Erected in 1508 for the Marescotti and Calvi clan. It was destroyed in 1508 and reconstructed by Giovanni Beroaldo. In 1680 Gian Giacomo Monti built a baroque stairway fit for royalty. Several classrooms including the salon d’honneur have astonishing frescoes painted by masters, also with emblematic and allegorical motifs of both families.