Not in Egypt, the cradle of pharaonic civilization, not in France, home of the decipherer of hieroglyphics Jean François Champollion, but in Pisa, exactly 200 years ago, the world's first university lectures on Egyptology were held. It was the academic year 1825-1826 and the young Pisan orientalist Ippolito Rosellini (1800-1843) sat in the chair, presenting the students of the University of Pisa with notions of ancient Egyptian history and language.

The exhibition Ippolito Rosellini, Pisa and the Birth of Modern Egyptology aims to celebrate this important bicentenary, underlining the fundamental role of Pisa and one of its most illustrious citizens in the development of the discipline of Egyptology. To this end, the “Memoirs to serve the lessons of the Academic Year 1825 and 26” are exhibited, a transcription of Rosellini's first two lessons, with the introduction and the course outline. The exhibition is also enriched with volumes, manuscripts, and drawings from the invaluable documentary and artistic heritage of the University Library of Pisa, which has housed Rosellini's more than 20,000 papers for nearly two centuries.

The exhibition organized by the Museo della Grafica (Municipality of Pisa, University of Pisa) is curated by Mattia Mancini, Gianluca Miniaci, Daniele Cianchi.

Exhibition opening with free admission: Friday, December 12, 2025, 12:45 PM

From December 12, 2025 to ’ January 11, 2026, the exhibition can be visited according to the museum's entrance fees.