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The Flesh and the Flora: Padua's Medical Renaissance

3.4 km105 min6 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Step into the 16th century, a time when the University of Padua ignited a scientific revolution that forever changed how we understand the human body and the natural world. Join Max, a historian of science, and Claudia, a curious Paduan local, as they trace the dramatic shift from ancient superstitions to empirical science. From the world's oldest surviving anatomical theatre to the very first academic botanical garden, you will uncover tales of grave-robbing, pharmaceutical fraud, and the birth of modern medicine. This is a cerebral, immersive journey through the cobblestone streets where Galileo taught and Vesalius dissected.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Palazzo del Bo

The historical seat of the University of Padua and home to the world's oldest surviving permanent anatomical theatre.

Palazzo del Bo

Image by MARTINA PICCOLO on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.22 km • 3 min
2

STOP 2

Piazza delle Erbe

A historic market square that highlights the chaotic, unregulated trade of medicinal plants before academic botany.

Piazza delle Erbe

Image by José Luiz on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.75 km • 12 min
3

STOP 3

MUSME - Museum of the History of Medicine

Housed in a 15th-century hospital, this site bridges the gap between theoretical university learning and practical patient care.

1.23 km • 19 min
4

STOP 4

Prato della Valle

A massive, monumental square featuring statues of illustrious figures, serving as a spatial representation of institutional memory.

Prato della Valle

Image by José Luiz on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.45 km • 7 min
5

STOP 5

Abbazia di Santa Giustina

A monumental Benedictine abbey representing the monastic tradition of herb gardens that predated academic botany.

Abbazia di Santa Giustina

Image by José Luiz on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.79 km • 12 min
6

END

Orto Botanico - The Hortus Cinctus

Founded in 1545, this is the world's oldest surviving academic botanical garden, representing the birth of modern botanical science.

Orto Botanico - The Hortus Cinctus

Image by Palickap on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for History buffs, science enthusiasts, medical professionals, and urban explorers interested in the Renaissance.
  • Best time Late morning to early afternoon, when the markets are bustling and the Orto Botanico is bathed in sunlight.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Max Krämer
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Max Krämer

  • History & Memory
  • Northern Germany

Historian with a passion for urban places of remembrance. Has worked in archives and museums for years; shows the traces of revolutions, monuments, and colonial pasts in today's streets.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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