Tribune of Galileo

The Tribune of Galileo sits on the first floor of La Specola Museum and displays a grand room with a cross vault and a glass dome covering the entrance. It holds scientific instruments from the Medici collection, including two telescopes and the objective lens Galileo used to discover Jupiter's moons.

Architect Giuseppe Martelli designed this space, which opened in 1841 during the Third Congress of Italian Scientists under Grand Duke Leopold II of Lorraine. Its creation reflected the 1800s growing interest in honoring the scientific achievements of the Mediterranean region.

The walls display marble panels and frescoes showing Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo's work with nature. This decoration shows how scientific investigation was seen as a worthy and important pursuit during the Renaissance.

The space is easily reached via the museum staircase and is open during regular museum hours. Clear signage throughout helps visitors understand the main scientific instruments and how they worked.

A statue of the great scientist stands in the center of the room, surrounded by busts of his students and followers. The entrance hall displays wax models from the 1700s, creating an interesting contrast with the optical and mechanical instruments on view.