MUSEO GALILEO
Formerly the Institute and Museum of the History of Science, this museum rightfully honors the name of one of Florence's most enlightened mind.
We all remember from school that Galileo Galilei was an Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher who played a major role in the Scientific Revolution.
The Medicis not only were patrons to the great artists of Florence.
They also sponsored a great many scientists seeking enlightenment.
Galileo perfected the telescope and greatly advanced the study of gravity and buoyancy under the wing of the Medici.
Unfortunately, he was so enlightened, that he figured out that the earth revolved around the sun, not vice versa.
This ran afoul of the Catholic Church and he was silenced by the Roman Inquisition.
The Medicis could have gone out on a limb to protect him, but they needed the support of the Vatican to maintain their vast wealth -- so the great Galileo died a broken and silenced man.
Much of his works, along with collections of the Medici, are on display at his museum.
Located on the bank of the River Arno in the 11th century Palazzo Castellani, the Galileo museum is wheelchair-accessible.
No comments:
Post a Comment