ART HOTEL COMMERCIANTI: A HISTORY BETWEEN SCIENCE AND ANTIQUITY
May 01 2024
Hotel News CURIOSITIES BOLOGNA 
If you happen to be in Bologna, you cannot miss a visit to the Specola museum, the historical seat of the city's astronomy department contained within an astronomical tower erected at the beginning of the 18th century on Palazzo Poggi. The Specola museum in Bologna is truly an essential stop for astronomy and science lovers. Located inside a historic astronomical tower, this museum offers visitors the chance to explore ancient instruments and discover the history of astronomy in the city. The tower itself, erected in the early 1700s on Palazzo Poggi, is a fascinating place that tells the story of Bologna's rich scientific tradition. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Specola museum during your stay in Bologna, it will be an unforgettable experience!
Birth and history
The palace was purchased to house the University's Institute of Science and an astronomical observatory under the influence of Ferdinando Marsigli, an important figure in the scientific and cultural scene of the time. Thanks to his initiative and support, Bologna was able to consolidate its position as a centre of scientific excellence, hosting institutions of great importance such as the astronomical observatory inside Palazzo Poggi. The presence of Luigi Ferdinando Marsigli and his involvement in the acquisition of this historic building are testimony to the commitment and passion for scientific progress that characterised that era.
Marsigli, with his enlightened vision, contributed significantly to the promotion of scientific research and the creation of important infrastructures for the development of science. His figure and support, therefore, in the context of the acquisition of this Institute are a tangible example of how scientific progress was considered of primary importance in the society of the time. The Specola Museum was founded with the aim of realising the idea of an experimental science that dialogued with other disciplines, seeking to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical knowledge. This interdisciplinary approach was very innovative for the time and represented an advanced vision of scientific practice, which included not only direct observation and experiment. The Specola Museum thus aimed to create a kind of cohesion between the various branches of scientific knowledge, thus contributing to the promotion of a more complete and interconnected science. Scientific instruments from the past, including the astrolabe, are preserved in the museum.
The astrolabe
The astrolabe is undoubtedly a masterpiece of human ingenuity, used since antiquity to determine the position of celestial bodies, the local time, the longitude of the sun and other crucial astronomical information. Its complex structure, composed of rotating discs and mysterious circles, makes it not only a functional object but also an extremely fascinating aesthetically pleasing one. The astrolabe is a symbol of astronomical knowledge and human ingenuity that has contributed to the study and understanding of the universe since the earliest times. Its presence and preservation in the Specola Museum is a tribute to the history of science and the importance of scientific traditions that continue to inspire and fascinate even today.
In this regard, our 'Astrolabe Suite: Science Room' provides an evocative and historically charged environment, where the large iron astrolabe suspended from the circular ceiling becomes the visual focus of the entire room. This extraordinary scientific instrument symbolises the historical importance of Bologna's Institute of Science, which played a fundamental role in profoundly transforming the university's teaching concept and renewing the city's cultural and scientific life. Thanks to its focus on experimentation, interdisciplinary research and the promotion of an integrated vision of knowledge, the Institute of Science in Bologna has contributed significantly to the development of science and culture in general. The astrolabe in room 116 of our boutique hotel in Bologna is therefore a tribute to this important scientific and cultural tradition, which has left a lasting imprint on the history of Bologna and the international scientific scene.
The importance of the Rizzoli Hospital
Finally, a fundamental figure in the field of science and healthcare is Francesco Rizzoli, who purchased the former convent of San Michele in Bosco to found the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, which today is recognised as one of the centres of excellence in orthopaedics and rehabilitation throughout Italy. The Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute has continued to evolve over the years, becoming a point of reference for research, training and treatment of musculoskeletal pathologies. Thanks to its national and international reputation, the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute has contributed significantly to the development of orthopaedic medicine and to the improvement of the quality of life of patients suffering from musculoskeletal pathologies. Francesco Rizzoli thus remains a fundamental figure in the history of Italian healthcare, whose commitment and dedication have left a lasting imprint on the field of orthopaedic medicine.
The mystery of the Asinelli Tower and the optical illusion that can be observed in the monumental corridor of the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute add even more fascination to this place rich in history and significance. The telescope effect, which causes the Tower to appear to enlarge as it moves away from the window, is an interesting phenomenon that plays with visual perception and creates an evocative and almost magical atmosphere within the corridor. This optical illusion adds a touch of mystery and curiosity to the experience of visiting the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, making it even more fascinating and engaging for the visitor.
The combination of history, science, culture and mystery makes this place unique and memorable, offering guests an unforgettable and enriching experience in many ways.
The site is easily accessible by public transport in Bologna.
Return
Birth and history
The palace was purchased to house the University's Institute of Science and an astronomical observatory under the influence of Ferdinando Marsigli, an important figure in the scientific and cultural scene of the time. Thanks to his initiative and support, Bologna was able to consolidate its position as a centre of scientific excellence, hosting institutions of great importance such as the astronomical observatory inside Palazzo Poggi. The presence of Luigi Ferdinando Marsigli and his involvement in the acquisition of this historic building are testimony to the commitment and passion for scientific progress that characterised that era.
Marsigli, with his enlightened vision, contributed significantly to the promotion of scientific research and the creation of important infrastructures for the development of science. His figure and support, therefore, in the context of the acquisition of this Institute are a tangible example of how scientific progress was considered of primary importance in the society of the time. The Specola Museum was founded with the aim of realising the idea of an experimental science that dialogued with other disciplines, seeking to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical knowledge. This interdisciplinary approach was very innovative for the time and represented an advanced vision of scientific practice, which included not only direct observation and experiment. The Specola Museum thus aimed to create a kind of cohesion between the various branches of scientific knowledge, thus contributing to the promotion of a more complete and interconnected science. Scientific instruments from the past, including the astrolabe, are preserved in the museum.
The astrolabe
The astrolabe is undoubtedly a masterpiece of human ingenuity, used since antiquity to determine the position of celestial bodies, the local time, the longitude of the sun and other crucial astronomical information. Its complex structure, composed of rotating discs and mysterious circles, makes it not only a functional object but also an extremely fascinating aesthetically pleasing one. The astrolabe is a symbol of astronomical knowledge and human ingenuity that has contributed to the study and understanding of the universe since the earliest times. Its presence and preservation in the Specola Museum is a tribute to the history of science and the importance of scientific traditions that continue to inspire and fascinate even today.
In this regard, our 'Astrolabe Suite: Science Room' provides an evocative and historically charged environment, where the large iron astrolabe suspended from the circular ceiling becomes the visual focus of the entire room. This extraordinary scientific instrument symbolises the historical importance of Bologna's Institute of Science, which played a fundamental role in profoundly transforming the university's teaching concept and renewing the city's cultural and scientific life. Thanks to its focus on experimentation, interdisciplinary research and the promotion of an integrated vision of knowledge, the Institute of Science in Bologna has contributed significantly to the development of science and culture in general. The astrolabe in room 116 of our boutique hotel in Bologna is therefore a tribute to this important scientific and cultural tradition, which has left a lasting imprint on the history of Bologna and the international scientific scene.
The importance of the Rizzoli Hospital
Finally, a fundamental figure in the field of science and healthcare is Francesco Rizzoli, who purchased the former convent of San Michele in Bosco to found the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, which today is recognised as one of the centres of excellence in orthopaedics and rehabilitation throughout Italy. The Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute has continued to evolve over the years, becoming a point of reference for research, training and treatment of musculoskeletal pathologies. Thanks to its national and international reputation, the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute has contributed significantly to the development of orthopaedic medicine and to the improvement of the quality of life of patients suffering from musculoskeletal pathologies. Francesco Rizzoli thus remains a fundamental figure in the history of Italian healthcare, whose commitment and dedication have left a lasting imprint on the field of orthopaedic medicine.
The mystery of the Asinelli Tower and the optical illusion that can be observed in the monumental corridor of the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute add even more fascination to this place rich in history and significance. The telescope effect, which causes the Tower to appear to enlarge as it moves away from the window, is an interesting phenomenon that plays with visual perception and creates an evocative and almost magical atmosphere within the corridor. This optical illusion adds a touch of mystery and curiosity to the experience of visiting the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, making it even more fascinating and engaging for the visitor.
The combination of history, science, culture and mystery makes this place unique and memorable, offering guests an unforgettable and enriching experience in many ways.
The site is easily accessible by public transport in Bologna.