Ferrara, Italy/ferrara068

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On the 1492 map, this is a close-up of the St. Dominic church area, which can be compared and matched with the layout presented on the east wall inside the church -- the main church (lower right), annex (upper), and "Crocette" (extending to the lower left). The "Crocette" included the anatomical theater, where cadavers were dissected. In this day before refrigeration or formaldehyde, the stench was sometimes unbearable. Because of religious taboos, "surgery" was allowed only during certain restricted times of the year, notably during "carnivals"!