Twentieth-century palaces

In the twentieth century the University of Padova experienced a profound season of architectural renewal that decisively affected the city. During the rectorship of Anti (1932-1943) fundamental interventions were carried out, supported by new funding, which led to the renovation of the Palazzo del Bo and the construction of the Liviano, the Institute of Physics, the Asiago Observatory and the Hydrobiological Station of Chioggia. In the 1950s, the large university hospital took shape, consolidating the University's expansion beyond the historic centre.

Since the second half of the century, university construction has continued to evolve through internal commissions, initially with direct assignments and, more recently, through competitions that also involve international architectural firms. This progressive opening marks a new relationship between university and city, oriented towards urban regeneration and transformation.

Palazzo Anselmi Casale
Lungargine del Piovego – Padova
Structured around two courtyards, the complex was built in successive phases between 1911 and 1919 starting from the original project of the engineer Daniele Donghi. In the following decades it underwent numerous and significant additions and distribution reorganizations that largely erased its original characteristics. The building preserves the wall paintings made at different times by the Paduan artist and decorator Giovanni Vianello.

Former Bonservizi District Group
Via Giordano Bruno 27 – Padova
The architectural complex was built in 1938 as the campus of the fascist district group. Shortly afterwards it became the base of the Black Brigades of the RSI and later the campus of the British command. It was converted to civil use and used by the University of Padua first as a student house, then as the campus of the University Sports Center, an institution that still manages the spaces.

University Youth House (Bressanone)
The Youth House was inaugurated in 1953 in Bressanone, a town where summer refresher courses of the University of Padua had already been held for two years. The project is by the engineer and architect Giulio Brunetta, who designed numerous other buildings of the University.

Hydrobiological Station in Chioggia 
It was established in 1940, in the north-east quadrant of the island of San Domenico, and two years later it was granted in free and perpetual use to the University of Padua. Since then, pioneering studies have been carried out on the ecosystems of the Venice lagoon and the Upper Adriatic, on the protection and management of ichthyofauna and the breeding of new fish species. Of the two buildings that make up the Hydrobiological Station, the largest (about 450 m²) has always been used for research activities, while the second (about 250 m²), in the past used as a caretaker's residence, is now a functional guesthouse that can accommodate up to ten people.

Engineering Complex
Structured around two courtyards, the complex was built in successive phases between 1911 and 1933 starting from the original project of the engineer Daniele Donghi. In the following decades it underwent numerous and significant additions and distribution reorganizations, which largely erased its original characteristics. The building preserves the wall paintings made at different times by the Paduan artist and decorator Giovanni Vianello.

Physics Building
Via Francesco Marzolo, 8 – Padova
Inaugurated in 1937 by the "father" of cosmic ray physics Bruno Rossi, the institute has typical characteristics of rationalist architecture, with clean and essential forms, maximum functionalization of spaces, use of modern materials, such as reinforced concrete with air chambers for the floors, linoleum for the floors of the laboratories and classrooms, compressed asphalt for the flooring of the workshops, the light materials of the floor present in the laboratory for research on cosmic radiation located in the body of the tower, with walls completely shielded by metal meshes. Also innovative for the time were some of the solutions adopted for the systems and instrumentation of classrooms and laboratories, now partly dispersed, expressly designed and built to facilitate research.

Chemical Institutes
Via Francesco Marzolo, 1 – Padova
The complex is the result of a series of transformations that between the fifties and eighties of the last century affected the early-twentieth century building designed by the engineer Tomasatti, leading to the annexation of new institutes pertaining to the same discipline. The historical part, which remains legible for its own independent architectural style of eclectic taste, winking at the neo-Renaissance style in some decorative details on the façade, consists of a two-storey building above ground with an "E" plan, with an adjoining classroom with wooden steps.

Institute of General Chemistry
The building in Via Loredan in Padova, now called 'Quadrilatero', was born thanks to the commitment of Raffaello Nasini (director from 1891 to 1906) and Giuseppe Bruni (1906 – 1917). It was completed in 1913 and set up the following year, but due to the events of the war it was not used until 1919. The building, with subsequent adaptations to make it today's 'Quadrilatero', is also the campus of the Institutes of Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry. Since the 1970s, it has been flanked by the new building in Via Marzolo 1.

Institute of Pharmacology
Largo Meneghetti, 2 – Padova
Designed by engineer Tomasatti in the early twentieth century, the building has a peculiar L-shape, dictated by the triangular configuration of the lot. During the First World War it served as accommodation for officer students and returned to the University only in 1919: it was then that it was dedicated to Francesco Buonafede, the first holder of the chair of Materia Medica. Under the direction of Egidio Meneghetti, in 1932, the building saw an extension that altered its original shape; A second extension was completed in the 1950s, citing the eclectic style of the main building, from which it is almost indistinguishable.

Institute of Physiology and Organic Chemistry
Via Marzolo 3 – Padova
The historical campus of the Institute of Human Physiology and the Institute of Biological Chemistry of the University of Padua was built in several phases between the 30s and 50s of the twentieth century. The institute is located in that area called university citadel or university area of S. Sofia already provided in 1872 by the first town plan of Padova. In all likelihood, the building was designed by Daniele Donghi during the first building consortium; This initial project later underwent a series of modifications and was carried out in a first tranche between 1928 and 1932, and then completed in 1934.

Institute of Hygiene
Via Loredan, 18 – Padova
The complex preserves substantially unchanged the original plan of the historic building, designed by the engineer Tomasatti in the early twentieth century, with an "E" shape. Distinctive of the taste of the time are the decorative elements in Art Deco style, which characterize in particular the main façade, from which, however, the original façade has been removed. At the end of the seventies, the central body was raised, the wing was extended beyond the main stairwell to the ground floor and basement, and a smaller extension of the building to the west was carried out for the entire height of the building.

Institute of General Chemistry
The building in Via Loredan in Padova, now called 'Quadrilatero', was born thanks to the commitment of Raffaello Nasini (director from 1891 to 1906) and Giuseppe Bruni (1906 – 1917). It was completed in 1913 and set up the following year, but due to the events of the war it was not used until 1919. The building, with subsequent adaptations to make it today's 'Quadrilatero', is also the campuses of the Institutes of Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry. Since the 1970s, it has been flanked by the new building in Via Marzolo 1.

Pharmaceutical Sciences Building
Via Marzolo - Padova
The construction of the campus of the Faculty of Pharmacy was established in 1933, during the Anti rectorate, as part of the so-called fourth "Consortium for the building arrangement of the University of Padua" and designed by the Milanese architect Giuseppe Merlo. Construction work began in April 1935 and was completed a year later, followed by another year of fitting out the furnishings and equipment.

Anatomical Institutes
Via Gabelli, 63/65/67 – 35121 Padova
Erected in 1922 to a design by the Arezzo architect Guido Fondelli in an area adjacent to the Giustinianeo Hospital, the Anatomical Institutes, originally intended to house the Institutes of Normal Human Anatomy, Forensic Medicine and Pathological Anatomy, have a horizontal E-shaped structure. Of particular interest are the Fallopian Hall, a splendid anatomical theatre with a wooden structure, the nearby Acquapendente Room, a sector room, and the Morgagni studio, an authentic jewel with decorative apparatus and historical furniture. The Institutes are home to the G.B. Morgagni Museum of Human Anatomy and, since 2022, an original mural by Milo Manara.

Paediatric Clinic
Designed by architect Daniele Calabi, the Paediatric Clinic was inaugurated in 1956. The building has a rigorous planimetric organization, set on a central node from which two blocks develop, and a meticulous choice of materials that restore the functional subdivision between the two nuclei to the outside. In the entrance hall of the Clinic there is a mosaic made by Gino Severini.

Orthopedic Clinic
The completion of the orthopaedic clinic on Via San Massimo dates back to the two-year period 1967-68, as part of the architectural interventions carried out with the Rector Ferro as part of the building consortium led by the engineer-architect Giulio Brunetta.

Semeiotic Clinic (formerly Pharmaceutical Clinic)
Located in Via Ospedale in Padova, Semeiotica medica was designed by the architect Daniele Calabi as the first campus of the Neurosurgical Clinic; Its construction began in 1938. Compared to Calabi's project (absent during construction because it was affected by the racial laws), the façade on Via Falloppio has been modified, while the façade on the garden, which has a double order of round arches, maintains the designer's original idea.

Polyclinic
The Polyclinic was built between 1952 and 1954 to merge the various clinics, which had not found space in the area in front, into a single building. The project was  developed by Daniele Calabi and Giulio Brunetta, but then completed only by the latter. In the atrium there is a series of interesting murals by Gino Morandis, a spatialist artist.