All over Italy I see wonderful family crests adorning buildings…and I want one. There is one building in particular that makes me feel the lack of a crest. It is the incredible Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio in Bologna, built to house the first unified seat of the University of Bologna in 1562/1563.
Among other things, the building houses the amazing Anatomy Room. The anatomical theatre was constructed in 1637 from spruce wood and was used to teach anatomy. The room was almost completely destroyed in 1944 during WWII, but was reconstructed using original materials retrieved from the rubble.
The interior walls and ceilings of the Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio are covered with gorgeous family crests.
I wouldn’t want my crest to be too complicated. I quite like this one.
I could have green stripes instead of red and the bird should be a budgerigar or a sulphur crested cockatoo because I am Australian.
I think it would look great on the side wall at Casa Debbio.
Your photos are lovely.
By: ranu802 on November 13, 2013
at 1:26 pm
Thank you, it is a beautiful palazzo.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 13, 2013
at 1:59 pm
Heraldry is a fascinating world; however, it will be impossible to have an Italian family crest unless your family is of Italian ancestry and had a registered coat of arms prior to 1948 (fall of the Monarchy). Perhaps, you could look at whether the Debbio family had one. When you go to Florence, you can check with these people http://www.portalearaldica.it/
By: mulino dominillo on November 13, 2013
at 1:28 pm
I know I couldn’t have a real one. Debbio is the name of the Localita rather than a family.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 13, 2013
at 1:58 pm
Both Debbio and Del Debbio are Italian surnames. In many cases, localities are named after their owners. Just a thought…
By: mulino dominillo on November 14, 2013
at 8:22 pm
I’d love one too although I wonder what would adorn it! 🙂
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on November 13, 2013
at 2:13 pm
It would have to include food, and perhaps your book.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 15, 2013
at 11:05 am
What a fun post, Debra! Another great idea and fascinating photos. I’m like you, I’d want green in my crest.
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
By: Kathryn McCullough on November 13, 2013
at 3:40 pm
You could design one for yourself.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 15, 2013
at 11:06 am
I also love crests but doubt my ex-husband’s family had one. The rumour was that they were servants for the Gonzaga in Mantova and I’m not even sure that is true. I would let my imagination run riot and start sketching kookaburras and barramundi!
By: Catherine on November 13, 2013
at 4:40 pm
Kookaburras and barramundi sound like a great place to start.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 15, 2013
at 11:07 am
I want one too!
By: zannyro on November 13, 2013
at 5:03 pm
I love them and would love to have one of my own.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 15, 2013
at 11:07 am
It’s funny, but my Italian family doesn’t have a family crest (none that I know of, at least) but my husband’s family (who are of British descent) have one! So I got one by default!! It has a lion on it and is fairly simple, but elegant. We have the crest painted onto one dish of our china set, as a display piece. I also have it on a tile plaque by the front door with our last name on it! It’s kind of fun having one – you can adorn things with it! Beautiful pics as always 🙂
By: tesorotreasures on November 13, 2013
at 5:23 pm
Lucky you!
By: Debra Kolkka on November 15, 2013
at 11:08 am
Me too! This is quite a collection 🙂
By: Madhu on November 13, 2013
at 8:14 pm
There are some very beautiful crests in the building. It would be easy to spend hours looking at them.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 15, 2013
at 11:09 am
just take one.. there seem to be plenty! fantastic shots! c
By: cecilia on November 13, 2013
at 9:23 pm
There is certainly no shrotage.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 15, 2013
at 11:09 am
I could design and paint you one Debra!? X
By: Moe Rocksmoore on November 14, 2013
at 6:46 am
That sounds like a good idea.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 15, 2013
at 11:10 am
I hereby adopt you and bequeath you, if you wish, with my family crest. WordPress will not let me paste in a tiny .gif picture, so look to your iPad. 🙂
By: Rob Mc Artor on November 14, 2013
at 7:09 am
I am happy to be adopted.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 15, 2013
at 11:10 am
This building is so beautiful that sometimes looks surreal. Stunning at the last level! Great pics! 🙂
By: neverclipmywings on November 15, 2013
at 9:40 am
It is a beautiful building. I go there every time I visit Bologna.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 15, 2013
at 11:11 am
Nice! I’ve been to Bologna only once. It’s a lovely city!
By: neverclipmywings on November 15, 2013
at 4:17 pm
Very nice fotos. Mo’s idea is a good one as there is nothing to stop you having one designed for you. I do have an English family crest, inherited through the Worth Family of Devon in England and a copy is in the tudor building called ‘Mols Coffee House’ in Cathedral Square in Exeter. It is a double headed eagle and we had an art decco version designed for our business logo. As an Australian, you might well have an English or Irish Crest hidden away somewhere. Check out your family tree!
By: June Finnigan on November 16, 2013
at 4:43 pm