On the trail of the famous scientist in his hometown
Galileo Galilei, the celebrated 16ᵗʰ–17ᵗʰ century physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher, a central figure of the Scientific Revolution, was born in Pisa on February 15, 1564. However, many people overlook the many places in the city related to the “Father of Modern Science.”
Here is an itinerary recommended for those who wish to discover Pisa by following in the footsteps of Galileo.
The starting point is the famous Piazza dei Miracoli, a UNESCO Heritage Site, home to the Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, the Monumental Graveyard and the majestic Cathedral where Galileo was baptized.
Inside the building of the Opera della Primaziale Pisana at one end of the majestic piazza is Galileo’s baptismal certificate. After some controversy, the scientist’s birthplace was located in the Sant’Andrea neighborhood, at numbers 24 and 26 of today’s Via Giusti.
Legend has it that Piazza dei Miracoli was a veritable scientific laboratory for Galileo. It was here where he allegedly conducted his experiments on the free fall of objects from the Leaning Tower, while inside the Cathedral he observed the oscillations of a votive chandelier, intuiting the law of pendulum isochronism.
The starting point is the famous Piazza dei Miracoli, a UNESCO Heritage Site, home to the Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, the Monumental Graveyard and the majestic Cathedral where Galileo was baptized.
Inside the building of the Opera della Primaziale Pisana at one end of the majestic piazza is Galileo’s baptismal certificate. After some controversy, the scientist’s birthplace was located in the Sant’Andrea neighborhood, at numbers 24 and 26 of today’s Via Giusti.
Legend has it that Piazza dei Miracoli was a veritable scientific laboratory for Galileo. It was here where he allegedly conducted his experiments on the free fall of objects from the Leaning Tower, while inside the Cathedral he observed the oscillations of a votive chandelier, intuiting the law of pendulum isochronism.
Continuing along Via Benedetto Castelli, you come to Piazza dei Cavalieri, not far from the Piazza dei Miracoli. This square owes its name to the Order of the Knights of Saint Stephen, who chose this as their headquarters in the 16ᵗʰ century. At its heart is Palazzo della Carovana, which houses the headquarters of the Scuola Normale Superiore, a renowned cultural and academic hub of great appeal, faced by other historic buildings along its sides, such as the Palazzo dell’Orologio and the Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici, witnesses to the city’s political and military history.
Continuing along Via Benedetto Castelli, you come to Piazza dei Cavalieri, not far from the Piazza dei Miracoli. This square owes its name to the Order of the Knights of Saint Stephen, who chose this as their headquarters in the 16ᵗʰ century. At its heart is Palazzo della Carovana, which houses the headquarters of the Scuola Normale Superiore, a renowned cultural and academic hub of great appeal, faced by other historic buildings along its sides, such as the Palazzo dell’Orologio and the Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici, witnesses to the city’s political and military history.
The tour continues on Borgo Stretto, one of Pisa’s most characteristic streets and now a major shopping area. Alongside Palazzo Bocca, on the corner of Via Mercanti, a plaque commemorates the residence of the Galilei family. A little further along is the stunning Church of San Michele in Borgo.
From here, you get to Piazza delle Vettovaglie, where Galileo spent time as a student, and the Palazzo della Sapienza, founded as a university campus in 1472 by Cosimo I de’ Medici, where a young Galileo spent years as a professor. Under the portico, the entrance to the Aula Magna Storica preserves a statue dedicated to the scientist.
The tour continues on Borgo Stretto, one of Pisa’s most characteristic streets and now a major shopping area. Alongside Palazzo Bocca, on the corner of Via Mercanti, a plaque commemorates the residence of the Galilei family. A little further along is the stunning Church of San Michele in Borgo.
From here, you get to Piazza delle Vettovaglie, where Galileo spent time as a student, and the Palazzo della Sapienza, founded as a university campus in 1472 by Cosimo I de’ Medici, where a young Galileo spent years as a professor. Under the portico, the entrance to the Aula Magna Storica preserves a statue dedicated to the scientist.
The National Museum of the Royal Palace, designed by Buontalenti, is the next stop. For centuries the residence of the Medici, Lorraine and Savoy families, it now houses furniture from the 17ᵗʰ to 19ᵗʰ centuries, along with paintings, armor and tapestries. From the top of the tower is a spectacular view of Pisa, right where Galileo aimed his telescopes to observe the sky.
The National Museum of the Royal Palace, designed by Buontalenti, is the next stop. For centuries the residence of the Medici, Lorraine and Savoy families, it now houses furniture from the 17ᵗʰ to 19ᵗʰ centuries, along with paintings, armor and tapestries. From the top of the tower is a spectacular view of Pisa, right where Galileo aimed his telescopes to observe the sky.
Finally, cross the Arno River at the Solferino Bridge to reach the city’s most recent tribute to Galileo. Since November 2023, the imposing 525-feet or 160-meter mural by renowned Brazilian street artist Kobra has towered over the Macarone Center, depicting Galileo Galilei using the Tower of Pisa as an astronomical telescope, a symbol of science, exploration and the connection between the Old and New Worlds.
Finally, cross the Arno River at the Solferino Bridge to reach the city’s most recent tribute to Galileo. Since November 2023, the imposing 525-feet or 160-meter mural by renowned Brazilian street artist Kobra has towered over the Macarone Center, depicting Galileo Galilei using the Tower of Pisa as an astronomical telescope, a symbol of science, exploration and the connection between the Old and New Worlds.