Galileo and Science in Renaissance Florence

The Medici family’s patronage of the sciences during the Renaissance period in Florence led to an explosion of scientific progress and the rise of humanism. This Galileo and Science in Renaissance Florence tour, led by a social or art historian, will introduce visitors to sites around the city that stand as testament to this era of intellectual progress. The tour begins at the Museo Galileo, where the most important Medicean collections of scientific instruments are preserved. Here, visitors will learn about the instruments used by Galileo Galilei, one of the most outstanding figures of the scientific revolution.

The tour then moves to the center of town to explore the role of humanism in Renaissance Florence. This includes a discussion of the drastic changes in the art of the period, as well as the growing interest in the study of the traditional liberal arts. Visitors will also learn about the poetry of Dante and Petrarch, and the life of the great author. The tour is intended to provide an in-depth and well-rounded view of the groundbreaking intellectual developments and the various Florentine characters who played a large role in spurring on this change.

Visitors will gain a greater understanding of the Medici family’s patronage of the sciences, and the way in which scientists shaped their own image inside a court. This tour is a great way to explore Renaissance-era Florence and gain insight into the daily lives of average Florentines during the era.