Galileo's Head Was on the Block

We wandered all over Florence today, and spent some time at the Palazzo Strozzi where they had an exhibit on Galileo. Many famous artists, writers and scientists are from Florence, including Dante, DaVinci, Machiavelli, and Michelangelo. We learned how ancient civilizations viewed the planets, the Egyptian concept of the Lunar Calendar, and that over the course of history, civilizations have looked to the heavens to navigate the seas and to decide when to sow and when to reap. We also learned that Copernicus was the first to develop a Heliocentric view of the universe, when others still held to the belief of a Geocentric universe. Galileo was born in Pisa, and while on a trip to Venice, bought a toy used to see far away. He worked hard at improving it and eventually invented the modern telescope which he used to observe the heavens. Galileo was tried twice by the Catholic Church for his scientific theories, the first time he got a warning, the second time he was found guilty of heresy and was subjected to a forced abjuration. We saw one of Galileo's original telescopes, and a finger from his right hand. That was neat.

We walked over the Ponte Vecchio a number of times. The Ponte Vecchio is a famous bridge with many shops. It was originally a meat and produce market in the 12th and 13th Century, it then become home to many goldsmiths and silversmiths. Today it is almost exclusively jewelry stores.

We went to almost every Piazza, many small markets, and street vendors. In one of the grocery stores the shelves were arranged by country, the American shelf had brownie mix, marshmallows, cheese balls and peanut butter. Kevin and Maddie rode on a carousel, and we paid .60 Euros each to use the public water closet. After dinner near the Medici Castle(now Florence Town Hall), we had our first taste of Italian hot chocolate. It was hot, but no sugar at all, it wasn't very tasty.

In our hotel bathroom there are cords in the tub and shower, Maggie pulled and pulled on them over and over while asking what they did. She stopped when the front desk called to check on the alarm coming from our room.

Ciao