GALILEO: IMAGES OF THE UNIVERSE FROM ANTIQUITY TO THE TELESCOPE

GALILEO: IMAGES OF THE UNIVERSE FROM ANTIQUITY TO THE TELESCOPE
Curated by Paolo Galluzzi

Florence, Palazzo Strozzi 13 March-30 August 2009

Paying homage to the brilliance of Galileo’s discoveries dating exactly 400 years ago, Florence’s Palazzo Strozzi has dedicated an impressive exhibit to the extraordinary works and influence of the scientist titled, “Galileo: Images of the Universe from Antiquity to the Telescope.” Honoring Galileo’s contribution to our current conception of the universe, the United Nations marks this fourth centenary by declaring 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy.

The exhibition, curated by Paolo Galluzzi, director of the Institute and Museum of the History of Science in Florence, guides us through a fascinating journey through the cosmological ideas from antiquity to the Scientific Revolution. Beginning with the mystical and poetic versions of ancient Egypt and Mesoptamia, we are led through the Greek cosmogonies, passing onwards through the vital contribution of astronomy and Arab lands to the final arrival of the revolutionary heliocentric theories of Copernicus- the fundamental inspiration for Galileo and Kepler, the scholars who together with Newton, made a decisive contribution to the definitive affirmation of the final concept of the universe.

Additionally, the exhibition interestingly explores the relationship between astronomy and astrology and the cultural and artistic effects of our creation and fascination with the imaginative configuration of the stars.

The use of scientific instruments and multimedia dramatically enhances the history and the discovery of the archaeological finds, celestial atlases, paintings (including spectacular frescoes from Pompeii never shown before), sculptures, precious manuscripts and cosmological models. Galileo’s telescope is also upon display.


Information: +39 055 2645155

Exhibition hours: Daily 9 a.m - 8 p.m, Thursday 9 a.m - 11 p.m

Tickets: Full € 10,00 / Reduced € 8,50 € 8,00 € 7,50 / Schools € 4,00

Bookings: prenotazioni@cscsigma.it