Discover Pisa in the footsteps of Galileowith Grand Hotel Duomo

Galileo Galilei is a name that needs no introduction. A man and historical figure, among the most illustrious sons of Pisa. We at Grand Hotel Duomo propose an itinerary to discover the places in Pisa that are linked to the life of the great scientist.

Galileo Galilei was born on 15th February 1564; his father was a musician and he was baptised in the splendid Duomo in Piazza dei Miracoli. Galileo's life is strongly linked to this square: according to legend, Piazza dei Miracoli was one of the scientific laboratories for his discoveries. According to some biographers of the scientist, then, Galileo sensed the law of isochronism of the oscillations of the pendulum right inside the Duomo, observing a large votive lamp, while it was from the Bell Tower (the Leaning Tower), that he conducted the experiments on the fall of gravities in the presence of teachers and students of the University of Pisa.

Leaving Piazza dei Miracoli, we can move on to Palazzo della Sapienza, seat of the University, a historic building with a characteristic courtyard and double loggia. This place sums up the Pisan years of Galileo's youth and maturity. While from the top of the tower of Palazzo Reale, on Lungarno Pacinotti, Galileo pointed his telescopes hundreds of times towards the celestial vault, of which he understood universal laws that upset the status quo crystallised by the Catholic Church.