Anatomia Italiana del Nord, meaning of the North, embarks on a journey through Milan, Pavia, Turin, and the scenic shores of Lake Maggiore, as well as the iconic Barolo vineyards in the picturesque Piedmont countryside.
Join Dr. Kevin Petti for an expertly curated small-group adventure that delves into art and culture of Italy, offering a rich cultural experience for the intellectually curious traveler. This unique opportunity is available for anyone keen on exploring Italy through a fresh lens.
Explore masterpieces such as Leonardo’s Last Supper and Michelangelo’s last Pietà, along with historic university museums that celebrate renowned anatomists such as Scarpa, Golgi, and Rolando.
Enjoy strolling through the storybook village of Stresa on the shores of Lake Maggiore, wine tasting in the picturesque Barolo vineyards, and embracing plenty of free time for rest, relaxation, and personal exploration.
Milan's Biblioteca Ambrosiana showcases select pages from Leonardo’s Codex Atlanticus, an exquisite collection of original drawings that delve into flight, mechanical inventions, and more.
These remarkable works, created by The Master himself, bring you intimately close to the sheets that Leonardo personally touched, highlighting the rich history of Anatomia Italiana del Nord.
At Milan's Sforza Castle, marvel at Michelangelo’s final sculpture, the Rondanini Pietà, which was likely intended for his tomb.
Il Divino carved this unfinished and understated creation up to his last days, just one month shy of his 89th birthday! This emotive masterpiece depicts the bodies of Jesus and Mary fused into a single figure, conveying the profound moment as if Mary is attempting to give her crucified Son life, with Jesus positioned as if he's exiting his mother’s womb.
This composition is unique in Michelangelo's oeuvre, illustrating a late shift toward emotional expression over the Renaissance idealism that characterized his earlier career. Contrasting this Pietà with the one in St. Peter's Basilica—his first major commission—provides unique insight into Michelangelo's artistic and stylistic trajectory.
Reflect on the human body as a vehicle for religious expression at Milan’s San Bernardino alle Ossa, where in 1210, remains from a nearby cemetery were exhumed and ultimately arranged in a display that is both artistic and haunting.
This visually arresting ossuary shrine employs human anatomy to convey memento mori, reaffirming our mortality, and offering the hope of spiritual redemption.
Examine the full-scale preparatory drawing for Raphael’s School of Athens, at Milan's Pinacoteca Ambrosiana.
This is the largest surviving Renaissance cartoon, entirely drawn by the hand of the Urbino master himself
An up close inspection reveals hundreds of small sheets pasted together following a four-year restoration completed in 2019.
Visit The University of Pavia, home to the stunning Aula Scarpa Anatomical Theatre, designed by Scarpa himself in the 1780s. Consider the secrets of the body discovered here!
This Temple to Anatomy is unique among Italy’s many anatomical theatres, as it’s adorned with frescos of floating angels offering surgical instruments, symbolizing the union of surgery and medicine.
The University of Pavia Anatomy Museum features the work of alumnus Antonio Scarpa, whose eponyms include Scarpa’s (deep membranous) fascia, Scarpa’s (femoral) triangle, and Scarpa’s fluid (endolymph).
Visitors are often shocked to find displayed here Scarpa’s head, fingers, and urinary system—preserved by his students who conducted his autopsy in 1832!
Also honored in this remarkable museum is Camillo Golgi, whose anatomical eponyms include the Golgi apparatus and the Golgi tendon organ.
Golgi's profound influence on histology earned him a Nobel Prize in 1873 for a staining technique that allowed the first images of neurons to be seen. Visitors can also view his Nobel Prize and original neuron sketches.
In the elegant city of Turin, we’ll explore the Royal Palace, the historic and grand residence of the renowned House of Savoy for nearly 300 years!
Wander along corridors adorned with a world-famous 16th century armory, and travel from chamber to chamber within the opulent Baroque Royal Apartments, featuring gilded ceilings, sumptuous furniture, and an extensive collection of Chinese and Japanese vases.
Not to be missed is the library housing original sketches by Leonardo da Vinci!
The Royal Palace also houses the Chapel of the Holy Shroud of Turin, where visitors can immerse themselves in the spirituality of what the faithful believe to be the burial cloth of Jesus of Nazareth.
The shroud has been venerated for centuries, particularly by the Roman Catholic Church, as the linen cloth upon which Jesus's image was miraculously imprinted at the moment of his Resurrection.
The ribbed dome above the reliquary containing the shroud is an architectural wonder in its own right. This 17th century Baroque masterpiece features a dramatic tower-reliquary structure. By employing six levels of staggered arches, it creates what has been described as a geometric labyrinth of light that tapers toward a 12-pointed star at the apex, symbolizing a stair-step ascent to heaven.
Journey back five millennia and immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of the Egyptian Museum of Turin.
With more than 40,000 artifacts, it is considered the most important Egyptological collection in the world outside of Egypt and holds the distinction of being the world's oldest museum dedicated entirely to ancient Egyptian culture.
Featuring artifacts dating back to 3,000 BC, the museum boasts three different versions of the Egyptian Book of the Dead, including the most ancient copy known.
This fascinating collection in Turin is a treasure not to be missed!
The University of Turin Museum of Human Anatomy Luigi Rolando presents a remarkable collection of anatomical artifacts.
Rolando is renowned for his discovery of the brain's Fissure of Rolando (central sulcus) and the Rolandic area (primary motor cortex).
Additionally, the exhibits pay tribute to Filippo Pacini, who in 1831 identified sensory organs known as Pacinian corpuscles, which detect pressure and vibration—a term still widely recognized today.
Relax along the picturesque shores of Stresa on Lake Maggiore!
Boat to Isola Bella, known as the Beautiful Island, and tour the stunning Baroque Palazzo Barromeo. Here, peacocks roam among rare blooms in manicured gardens, with the shimmering lake and the breathtaking Swiss-Italian Alps providing a stunning backdrop.
Anatomia Italiana del Nord presents countless cultural opportunities that extend far beyond what's mentioned above!
Stroll among masterpieces by Titian, Mantegna, and Caravaggio at Milan's world-renowned museums, Pinacoteca di Brera and Pinacoteca Ambrosiana.
While in Turin, don't miss the chance to visit the historic cafés and indulge in the ritual of Aperitivo, perhaps with a Vermouth or, even better, a Negroni, the world's most celebrated cocktail!
Connect Art and Anatomy in Northern Italy in 2027!
Anatomia Italiana del Nord
June 13 to 25, 2027