Every fall semester, ISI Florence students from the University of Maryland Physics Track (Professors Luis Orozco, Sahand Eslami, and Simone Lolli) take part in a long-standing tradition: a special visit to the National Central Library of Florence. Accompanied by Professor Stefano U. Baldassarri, Director of ISI Florence, the group explored some of the most extraordinary treasures in the library’s collection — the original manuscripts of Galileo Galilei.

These rare documents, rediscovered and acquired in the mid-eighteenth century by what was then the Palatine Library (later incorporated into the National Library after Italy’s unification), offer a fascinating window into Galileo’s mind and methods.

Among the pieces presented to the group were Galileo’s notes and sketches of the Moon’s phases and sunspots, his letters to Belisario Vinta (the learned secretary of Grand Dukes Cosimo I and Ferdinando I de’ Medici), his studies on levers and motion complete with detailed illustrations, the first edition of the Sidereus Nuncius (1610), and preliminary notes for his groundbreaking Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems (1632).

The visit, coordinated by Dr. Michaelangiola Marchiaro, was once again led by Professor David Speranzi, who guided students through Galileo’s world with insight and enthusiasm. The ISI Florence group extends heartfelt thanks to Michaelangiola, David, as well as the library’s administration and staff for welcoming them and helping them appreciate the lasting significance of these exceptional works.