Padua University students fought in civil and international wars from the times of the Risorgimènto. The tradition is commemorated first in the Cortile Nuovo by Attilio Selva’s high relief, then celebrated in an even more solemn tone in the "Atrio degli Eroi".

The bronze door was made by melting the cannons taken from the enemy during the First World War. It shuts out the noise of the city to protect the names of the one hundred and sixteen victims who lost their lives in the fight against Nazi-fascism. Arturo Martìni’s statue of Palinurus, in the centre of the entrance hall, is dedicated to Partisan commander, Primo Visentìn, known as Masàccio, one of the fallen and a graduate in art history from Padua University. 

For the heavy toll of lives lost, Padua was the only university in Italy to be awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valour.

Spirits are lightened by Milanese architect and designer Gio Ponti, who created the Scala del Sapere, a stairway of polychrome marble steps and a fresco celebrating the Growth of Humanity Through Culture. Personified by a scholar completing his university studies, the allegory accompanies us to the top of the staircase, where the Alma Mèter is located, her feet resting on the most famous volumes produced by the university. And a sieve, a symbol of the university that promotes only the best.

The hole in a corner of the sieve, containing a letter from a Minister, alludes to friends in high places, and generated much debate when the fresco was presented to the public. The university can also criticize itself, and this is an important aspect of Patavina Libèrtas – the freedom of Padua. 

The door at the top of the staircase opens into the University of Padua’s Rectorate. Palazzo del Bo continues to be a lively point of reference for the university, but never failing to respect its centuries-old structure.

For this reason, the Rectorate can only be visited on weekends but weekday visitors mustn’t despair: they can rediscover Gio Ponti’s genius at Palazzo Liviano.