Church vs Science - Santa Croce and Galileo

This 3-hour private city tour is focused on the role of the Church and Scientific progress in the early modern era. A tour that explores the sometimes 'difficult' relationship between the Church and scientific progress, a topic which l find fascinating as it is an often overlooked and delicate subject even now. I love to explain how Florence overcame the bigotted mentality of the time by investing in the sciences. I'll begin in the world's largest Franciscan Basilica, Santa Croce where great Italians such as Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galilieo are buried. Here we'll see Galileo's temporary burial site, as he was considered a 'heretic' and his later official tomb. We'll then head off to one of my favourite places in town, the Galileo Museum, in a Medieval building where we can see two incredible scientific collections belonging to the Medici and Hapsburg-Lorraine families. The tour will end here as there is a 'hands on' section which if fun to do, especially for children to explore.

This private tour sets out from Piazza Santa Croce, in front of the Dante statue. After an exploration of the Basilica and Galileo's tomb, we'll have a short pleasant walk to the Galileo Museum, located close to the River Arno, in Palazzo Castellani. Here, we will be able to see impressive and fascinating scientific pieces comprised in two unique collections. This tour can be customised to accommodate specific client needs.