Collegio Borromeo
Encyclopedia
L'Almo Collegio Borromeo, recognized by the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research as a "highly qualified Cultural Institute", is the oldest such institution remaining in operation in Italy. Together with Collegio Ghislieri, with which there is goliardic
rivalry, it is one of two historic colleges in Pavia that stand out as prestigious institutions of the Lombardy
-Veneto
area. The building that houses the college was designed by Pellegrino Tibaldi
, and overlooks the Ticino, surrounded by landscaped gardens and the Borromeo Gardens. Vasari described it as a "palace of knowledge" ("palazzo per la Sapienza").
The college selects students of the University of Pavia
through a rigorous public competition based on tests taken annually.
Collegio Borromeo was founded in 1561 by the estate of St. Charles Borromeo which aimed, through the benefaction, to create an institution capable of accommodating young promising students experiencing economic hardship, which is still the aim of the Fondazione Collegio Borromeo. On May 10, 2009, the Women's Section was opened in the presence of Minister Mariastella Gelmini
and Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi; it is intended to accommodate approximately fifty of the most deserving female students from the University of Pavia.
The services offered by the college are not limited to food and housing, but rather are focused on providing training in parallel and integrated with the university: for example, CEGA (Center for General and Applied Ethics) is hosted by the college; along with series of conferences, presentations of books on current affairs, hosting the chair in theology, and offering countless moments of reflection, in addition to the ever-rich artistic and musical seasons in the life of the college.
, and houses two auditorium-style rooms ("White Room" and "Mural Room") with private upstairs rooms for guests. The rooms are also divided into several levels: "Mezzanino" (mezzanine), "Nobile" (piano nobile
), "Paradiso" (second mezzanine) and "Iperuranio" (attic). Also on the south side are "Sangiovannino alto" and "basso" ("Upper" and "Lower"), saved from the Church of San Giovanni in Borgo before demolition in the nineteenth century.
The first part of the competition includes a written test administered by the IUSS, divided into the following disciplines: Italian, Latin, History, Philosophy, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry problems were recently introduced. One can choose the track and the exercises regardless of the degree course chosen and can obtain a maximum score of 20 points from this written test. Those obtaining a minimum score of 12 points in the written test are invited to two oral examinations. In these, candidates are tested on the content of their last three years of high school in two subjects of their choice, however relevant to their degree course. The test begins from a topic chosen by the student and listed in the schedule ("tesario"; containing the list of topics to prepare for each discipline). The oral exam can provide up to 60 points, 30 for each interview. Additionally, as part of these tests, the candidate is interviewed by the appropriate college Rector
and, in order to gauge the strength of compatible cultural background, he or she has a test of general knowledge and an aptitude interview with a psychologist seeking to determine eligibility for collegiate life. The latter tests have no value for the IUSS competition but contribute 20 points overall towards Borromeo entry. To be eligible, a candidate must achieve the minimum score of 65 points.
and Cesare Angelini have given descriptions of the College and the building was used as a film set for Le cinque giornate by Dario Argento
and for Liberi, armati e pericolosi by Romolo Guerrieri
. It also appeared in the satirical program Laureato by Piero Chiambretti.
In addition, the college hosted the Russian poet Vyacheslav Ivanovich Ivanov
between 1926 and 1936, and its Rectors include Cesare Angelini, a leading interpreter of Alessandro Manzoni
and Leopoldo Riboldi, Rector perpetuus who, with the donation of 4,200 volumes to the college library, contributed to the establishing of a Faculty of Political Sciences in Pavia, the first in Italy.
Currently, a substantial part of the academic staff at Pavia (around 250 professors, researchers and graduate students) come from the Almo Collegio Borromeo. The current Rector of the University of Pavia and Professor of Physics, Angiolino Stella is a former student of the college.
Goliard
The Goliards were a group of clergy who wrote bibulous, satirical Latin poetry in the 12th and 13th centuries. They were mainly clerical students at the universities of France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and England who protested the growing contradictions within the Church, such as the failure of the...
rivalry, it is one of two historic colleges in Pavia that stand out as prestigious institutions of the Lombardy
Lombardy
Lombardy is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy and about one fifth of Italy's GDP is produced in this region, making it the most populous and richest region in the country and one of the richest in the whole of Europe...
-Veneto
Veneto
Veneto is one of the 20 regions of Italy. Its population is about 5 million, ranking 5th in Italy.Veneto had been for more than a millennium an independent state, the Republic of Venice, until it was eventually annexed by Italy in 1866 after brief Austrian and French rule...
area. The building that houses the college was designed by Pellegrino Tibaldi
Pellegrino Tibaldi
Pellegrino Tibaldi , also known as Pellegrino di Tibaldo de Pellegrini, was an Italian mannerist architect, sculptor, and mural painter.-Biography:...
, and overlooks the Ticino, surrounded by landscaped gardens and the Borromeo Gardens. Vasari described it as a "palace of knowledge" ("palazzo per la Sapienza").
The college selects students of the University of Pavia
University of Pavia
The University of Pavia is a university located in Pavia, Lombardy, Italy. It was founded in 1361 and is organized in 9 Faculties.-History:...
through a rigorous public competition based on tests taken annually.
Collegio Borromeo was founded in 1561 by the estate of St. Charles Borromeo which aimed, through the benefaction, to create an institution capable of accommodating young promising students experiencing economic hardship, which is still the aim of the Fondazione Collegio Borromeo. On May 10, 2009, the Women's Section was opened in the presence of Minister Mariastella Gelmini
Mariastella Gelmini
Mariastella Gelmini, is an Italian politician and attorney . She served as Italian Minister of Education in the Berlusconi IV Cabinet until November 16, 2011.-Political career:Gelmini was born in Leno, Italy....
and Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi; it is intended to accommodate approximately fifty of the most deserving female students from the University of Pavia.
The services offered by the college are not limited to food and housing, but rather are focused on providing training in parallel and integrated with the university: for example, CEGA (Center for General and Applied Ethics) is hosted by the college; along with series of conferences, presentations of books on current affairs, hosting the chair in theology, and offering countless moments of reflection, in addition to the ever-rich artistic and musical seasons in the life of the college.
Rooms
The student rooms are divided according to the sides of the building: "Piazza" ("Square") on the western side, facing Piazza Borromeo, "Giardino" ("Garden") on the south side, "Vicolo" ("Lane") on the north side, looking onto Via Cardinal Tosi. The east side is called "Richini", as it is situated on a seventeenth-century garden designed by Francesco Maria RichiniFrancesco Maria Richini
thumb|250px|The inner court of Palazzo Brera in Milan.Francesco Maria Richini was an Italian Baroque architect....
, and houses two auditorium-style rooms ("White Room" and "Mural Room") with private upstairs rooms for guests. The rooms are also divided into several levels: "Mezzanino" (mezzanine), "Nobile" (piano nobile
Piano nobile
The piano nobile is the principal floor of a large house, usually built in one of the styles of classical renaissance architecture...
), "Paradiso" (second mezzanine) and "Iperuranio" (attic). Also on the south side are "Sangiovannino alto" and "basso" ("Upper" and "Lower"), saved from the Church of San Giovanni in Borgo before demolition in the nineteenth century.
Admission
The admission follows an open, meritocratic competition divided into a variety of assessments; only those who have obtained a minimum score of 80 in their graduation exam may apply for the admissions competition. This competition is now run in conjunction with the Scuola Superiore Studi Pavia IUSS, the School for Advanced Studies, of which the Almo Collegio Borromeo is a founding member and, indeed, the admission test is valid for access to IUSS courses to the extent of space reserved for the College. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the gaining a place at Borromeo does not automatically secure a place in IUSS: although it is not the norm, there are students of Borromeo who are not students of IUSS, as the rankings of the IUSS competition and the Borromeo competition are separate and follow different criteria (distinguishing different classes and thresholds).The first part of the competition includes a written test administered by the IUSS, divided into the following disciplines: Italian, Latin, History, Philosophy, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry problems were recently introduced. One can choose the track and the exercises regardless of the degree course chosen and can obtain a maximum score of 20 points from this written test. Those obtaining a minimum score of 12 points in the written test are invited to two oral examinations. In these, candidates are tested on the content of their last three years of high school in two subjects of their choice, however relevant to their degree course. The test begins from a topic chosen by the student and listed in the schedule ("tesario"; containing the list of topics to prepare for each discipline). The oral exam can provide up to 60 points, 30 for each interview. Additionally, as part of these tests, the candidate is interviewed by the appropriate college Rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
and, in order to gauge the strength of compatible cultural background, he or she has a test of general knowledge and an aptitude interview with a psychologist seeking to determine eligibility for collegiate life. The latter tests have no value for the IUSS competition but contribute 20 points overall towards Borromeo entry. To be eligible, a candidate must achieve the minimum score of 65 points.
Retention
To retain their place at the college, students are required to have a university average of at least 27/30, with no scores below 24, and to pass all the exams required by the formal closing of the academic year. The ability to speak at least two foreign languages is required, demonstrated through specific, internationally-recognized certificates. Students must also attend additional courses required by IUSS or, alternatively, take at least two internal courses per academic year.Recognized internal courses
- Developments in Cellular Physiology
- Statistical Data Analysis
- Details of Neurophysiology
- Mathematical Analysis and Optimization Problems (in English)
- Bioethics and Biosafety
- Energy and Renewable Energy Sources
- Basic Ethics
- Environmental Ethics
- Applied Ethics
- Ethics for Biologists
- Ethics and Economics
- Materials and technologies currently used in General Surgery
- NeuroscienceNeuroscienceNeuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,...
- Game TheoryGame theoryGame theory is a mathematical method for analyzing calculated circumstances, such as in games, where a person’s success is based upon the choices of others...
- Optimizing transport
Literature and popular culture
Giorgio Vasari, Alessandro ManzoniAlessandro Manzoni
Alessandro Francesco Tommaso Manzoni was an Italian poet and novelist.He is famous for the novel The Betrothed , generally ranked among the masterpieces of world literature...
and Cesare Angelini have given descriptions of the College and the building was used as a film set for Le cinque giornate by Dario Argento
Dario Argento
Dario Argento is an Italian film director, producer and screenwriter. He is best known for his work in the horror film genre, particularly in the subgenre known as giallo, and for his influence on modern horror and slasher movies....
and for Liberi, armati e pericolosi by Romolo Guerrieri
Romolo Guerrieri
Romolo Guerrieri is an Italian film director and screenwriter. He directed 17 films between 1961 and 1992.He was born in Rome, Italy.-Selected filmography:* Detective Belli...
. It also appeared in the satirical program Laureato by Piero Chiambretti.
Famous alumni
The college has a long list of distinguished alumni across all fields of knowledge. Amongst them are:- Law and politics:
- Antonio StoppaniAntonio StoppaniAntonio Stoppani was an Italian geologist and palaeontologist. He died in 1891 aged 67Born in Lecco, he became professor of geology in the Royal Technical Institute of Milan, and was distinguished for his researches on the Triassic and Liassic formations of northern Italy.Among his works...
(?-1746); - Giuseppe CarpaniGiuseppe CarpaniGiuseppe Carpani was an Italian poet and writer born at Vill'albese, in Brianza .His father wanted him to study law, which he did in Milan and Padua, but after practicing briefly in Milan, he instead followed artistic pursuits...
(1752-1825); - Giuseppe SacchiGiuseppe SacchiGiuseppe Sacchi was an Italian painter of the Baroque period.The son of the famous Andrea Sacchi, Giuseppe painted both historical canvases and portraits. He became a friar minor and died young.-References:...
(1804-1891); - Giuseppe FerrariGiuseppe FerrariGiuseppe Ferrari was an Italian philosopher, historian and politician.He was born at Milan, studied law at Pavia, and took the degree of doctor in 1831. A follower of Romagnosi and Giovan Battista Vico, his first works were an article in the Biblioteca Italiana Giuseppe Ferrari (7 March 1812 - 2...
(1811-1876); - Antonio RaimondiAntonio RaimondiAntonio Raimondi was a prominent Italian-born Peruvian geographer and scientist. Born in Milan, Raimondi emigrated to Peru, arriving on July 28, 1850 at the port of Callao. In 1851 he became a professor of natural history...
(1860-1950); - Mino Martinazzoli (1931);
- Antonio Stoppani
- Medicine:
-
- Agostino BertaniAgostino BertaniAgostino Bertani was an Italian revolutionary and physician during Italian unification.-Revolutionary:Bertani was born at Milan on October 19, 1812. He took part in the revolutions of 1848, but he was opposed to the fusion of Lombardy with the Kingdom of Sardinia...
(1812-1886); - Carlo ForlaniniCarlo ForlaniniCarlo Forlanini was an Italian physician.In 1870 he earned his medical degree from the University of Pavia, where he studied as an alumnus of Borromeo College, and afterwards joined the staff of the Ospedale Maggiore in Milan...
(1847-1918);
- Agostino Bertani
- Mathematics, physics, engineering and the natural sciences
-
- Andrea Frova (1936);
- Literature and philosophy:
- Emanuele SeverinoEmanuele SeverinoEmanuele Severino is one of the most important contemporary Italian philosophers.Severino studied at the University of Pavia under Gustavo Bontadini, though he broke publicly from Bontadini in 1970 while both were on the faculty of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan...
(1929).
- Emanuele Severino
- Religion:
- Federico BorromeoFederico BorromeoFederico Borromeo was an Italian ecclesiastic, cardinal and archbishop of Milan.-Biography:Federico Borromeo was born in Milan as the second son of Giulio Cesare Borromeo, Count of Arona, and Margherita Trivulzio...
(1564-1631); - Alessandro MaggioliniAlessandro MaggioliniAlessandro Maggiolini was the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Como, Italy.Born in Bareggio, Italy, Maggiolini was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milan on July 26, 1955. On April 7...
(1567-?); - Giuseppe Alessandro FuriettiGiuseppe Alessandro FuriettiGiuseppe Alessandro Furietti was a Roman Catholic cardinal, an antiquarian and philologist, and a collector of antiquities whose ambitious excavations at the site of Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli rewarded him with the Furietti Centaurs and other Roman sculpture.Furietti was born at Bergamo, the son of...
(1685-1764); - Fabrizio SerbelloniFabrizio SerbelloniFabrizio Serbelloni was an Italian Cardinal. He was from a prominent family in Milan.He was a graduate of the University of Pavia, becoming doctor in utroque iure. He served as inquisitor general in Malta, in 1726....
(1695-1775); - Ignazio BuscaIgnazio BuscaIgnazio Busca was an Italian cardinal and Secretary of State of the Holy See. He was the last son of Lodovico Busca, marquess of Lomagna and Bianca Arconati Visconti. he took a degree in utroque iure in 1759 at the Università La Sapienza of Rome...
(1731-1805);
- Federico Borromeo
In addition, the college hosted the Russian poet Vyacheslav Ivanovich Ivanov
Vyacheslav Ivanovich Ivanov
Vyacheslav Ivanovich Ivanov was a Russian poet and playwright associated with the Russian Symbolist movement. He was also a philosopher, translator, and literary critic.-Early life:...
between 1926 and 1936, and its Rectors include Cesare Angelini, a leading interpreter of Alessandro Manzoni
Alessandro Manzoni
Alessandro Francesco Tommaso Manzoni was an Italian poet and novelist.He is famous for the novel The Betrothed , generally ranked among the masterpieces of world literature...
and Leopoldo Riboldi, Rector perpetuus who, with the donation of 4,200 volumes to the college library, contributed to the establishing of a Faculty of Political Sciences in Pavia, the first in Italy.
Currently, a substantial part of the academic staff at Pavia (around 250 professors, researchers and graduate students) come from the Almo Collegio Borromeo. The current Rector of the University of Pavia and Professor of Physics, Angiolino Stella is a former student of the college.
See also
- St. Charles Borromeo
- University of PaviaUniversity of PaviaThe University of Pavia is a university located in Pavia, Lombardy, Italy. It was founded in 1361 and is organized in 9 Faculties.-History:...
- Collegio Ghislieri
- IUSS PaviaIUSS PaviaThe Scuola Superiore IUSS or the "Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori" of Pavia is a higher learning institute located in Pavia, Northern -Italy....
- PaviaPaviaPavia , the ancient Ticinum, is a town and comune of south-western Lombardy, northern Italy, 35 km south of Milan on the lower Ticino river near its confluence with the Po. It is the capital of the province of Pavia. It has a population of c. 71,000...