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Italy: The 16th century Praetorian Fountain (Fontana Pretoria), Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily. The Praetorian Fountain is located in the heart of the historic centre of Palermo and represents the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria. The fountain was originally built by Francesco Camilliani (1530 - 1586), a Tuscan sculptor, in the city of Florence in 1554, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574
Italy: The 16th century Praetorian Fountain (Fontana Pretoria), Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily. The Praetorian Fountain is located in the heart of the historic centre of Palermo and represents the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria. The fountain was originally built by Francesco Camilliani (1530 - 1586), a Tuscan sculptor, in the city of Florence in 1554, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574
Italy: The 16th century Praetorian Fountain (Fontana Pretoria), Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily. The Praetorian Fountain is located in the heart of the historic centre of Palermo and represents the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria. The fountain was originally built by Francesco Camilliani (1530 - 1586), a Tuscan sculptor, in the city of Florence in 1554, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574
Italy: The 16th century Praetorian Fountain (Fontana Pretoria), Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily. The Praetorian Fountain is located in the heart of the historic centre of Palermo and represents the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria. The fountain was originally built by Francesco Camilliani (1530 - 1586), a Tuscan sculptor, in the city of Florence in 1554, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574
Italy: The 16th century Praetorian Fountain (Fontana Pretoria), Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily. The Praetorian Fountain is located in the heart of the historic centre of Palermo and represents the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria. The fountain was originally built by Francesco Camilliani (1530 - 1586), a Tuscan sculptor, in the city of Florence in 1554, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574
Italy: The 16th century Praetorian Fountain (Fontana Pretoria), Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily. The Praetorian Fountain is located in the heart of the historic centre of Palermo and represents the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria. The fountain was originally built by Francesco Camilliani (1530 - 1586), a Tuscan sculptor, in the city of Florence in 1554, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574
Italy: The 16th century Praetorian Fountain (Fontana Pretoria), Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily. The Praetorian Fountain is located in the heart of the historic centre of Palermo and represents the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria. The fountain was originally built by Francesco Camilliani (1530 - 1586), a Tuscan sculptor, in the city of Florence in 1554, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574
Italy: The 16th century Praetorian Fountain (Fontana Pretoria), Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily. The Praetorian Fountain is located in the heart of the historic centre of Palermo and represents the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria. The fountain was originally built by Francesco Camilliani (1530 - 1586), a Tuscan sculptor, in the city of Florence in 1554, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574
Italy: The 16th century Praetorian Fountain (Fontana Pretoria), Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily. The Praetorian Fountain is located in the heart of the historic centre of Palermo and represents the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria. The fountain was originally built by Francesco Camilliani (1530 - 1586), a Tuscan sculptor, in the city of Florence in 1554, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574
Italy: The 16th century Praetorian Fountain (Fontana Pretoria), Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily. The Praetorian Fountain is located in the heart of the historic centre of Palermo and represents the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria. The fountain was originally built by Francesco Camilliani (1530 - 1586), a Tuscan sculptor, in the city of Florence in 1554, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574
Italy: The 16th century Praetorian Fountain (Fontana Pretoria), Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily. The Praetorian Fountain is located in the heart of the historic centre of Palermo and represents the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria. The fountain was originally built by Francesco Camilliani (1530 - 1586), a Tuscan sculptor, in the city of Florence in 1554, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574
Italy: The 16th century Praetorian Fountain (Fontana Pretoria), Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily. The Praetorian Fountain is located in the heart of the historic centre of Palermo and represents the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria. The fountain was originally built by Francesco Camilliani (1530 - 1586), a Tuscan sculptor, in the city of Florence in 1554, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574
Italy: The 16th century Praetorian Fountain (Fontana Pretoria), Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily. The Praetorian Fountain is located in the heart of the historic centre of Palermo and represents the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria. The fountain was originally built by Francesco Camilliani (1530 - 1586), a Tuscan sculptor, in the city of Florence in 1554, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574
Italy: The 16th century Praetorian Fountain (Fontana Pretoria), Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily. The Praetorian Fountain is located in the heart of the historic centre of Palermo and represents the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria. The fountain was originally built by Francesco Camilliani (1530 - 1586), a Tuscan sculptor, in the city of Florence in 1554, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574
Italy: The 16th century Praetorian Fountain (Fontana Pretoria), Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily. The Praetorian Fountain is located in the heart of the historic centre of Palermo and represents the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria. The fountain was originally built by Francesco Camilliani (1530 - 1586), a Tuscan sculptor, in the city of Florence in 1554, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574
Italy: The 16th century Praetorian Fountain (Fontana Pretoria), Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily. The Praetorian Fountain is located in the heart of the historic centre of Palermo and represents the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria. The fountain was originally built by Francesco Camilliani (1530 - 1586), a Tuscan sculptor, in the city of Florence in 1554, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574
According to local legend, Siena was founded by Senius and Aschius, two sons of Remus and thus nephews of Romulus, after whom Rome was named. Supposedly after their father's murder by Romulus, they fled Rome, taking with them the statue of the she-wolf suckling the infants (Capitoline Wolf), thus appropriating that symbol for the town.
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption was originally designed and completed between 1215 and 1263 on the site of an earlier structure. It has the form of a Latin cross with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower.<br/><br/> The dome rises from a hexagonal base with supporting columns. The lantern atop the dome was added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The nave is separated from the two aisles by semicircular arches. The exterior and interior are constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, with addition of red marble on the façade.
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption was originally designed and completed between 1215 and 1263 on the site of an earlier structure. It has the form of a Latin cross with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower.<br/><br/> The dome rises from a hexagonal base with supporting columns. The lantern atop the dome was added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The nave is separated from the two aisles by semicircular arches. The exterior and interior are constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, with addition of red marble on the façade.
According to local legend, Siena was founded by Senius and Aschius, two sons of Remus and thus nephews of Romulus, after whom Rome was named. Supposedly after their father's murder by Romulus, they fled Rome, taking with them the statue of the she-wolf suckling the infants (Capitoline Wolf), thus appropriating that symbol for the town.
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption was originally designed and completed between 1215 and 1263 on the site of an earlier structure. It has the form of a Latin cross with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower.<br/><br/> The dome rises from a hexagonal base with supporting columns. The lantern atop the dome was added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The nave is separated from the two aisles by semicircular arches. The exterior and interior are constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, with addition of red marble on the façade.
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption was originally designed and completed between 1215 and 1263 on the site of an earlier structure. It has the form of a Latin cross with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower.<br/><br/> The dome rises from a hexagonal base with supporting columns. The lantern atop the dome was added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The nave is separated from the two aisles by semicircular arches. The exterior and interior are constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, with addition of red marble on the façade.
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption was originally designed and completed between 1215 and 1263 on the site of an earlier structure. It has the form of a Latin cross with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower.<br/><br/> The dome rises from a hexagonal base with supporting columns. The lantern atop the dome was added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The nave is separated from the two aisles by semicircular arches. The exterior and interior are constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, with addition of red marble on the façade.
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption was originally designed and completed between 1215 and 1263 on the site of an earlier structure. It has the form of a Latin cross with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower.<br/><br/> The dome rises from a hexagonal base with supporting columns. The lantern atop the dome was added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The nave is separated from the two aisles by semicircular arches. The exterior and interior are constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, with addition of red marble on the façade.
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption was originally designed and completed between 1215 and 1263 on the site of an earlier structure. It has the form of a Latin cross with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower.<br/><br/> The dome rises from a hexagonal base with supporting columns. The lantern atop the dome was added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The nave is separated from the two aisles by semicircular arches. The exterior and interior are constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, with addition of red marble on the façade.
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption was originally designed and completed between 1215 and 1263 on the site of an earlier structure. It has the form of a Latin cross with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower.<br/><br/> The dome rises from a hexagonal base with supporting columns. The lantern atop the dome was added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The nave is separated from the two aisles by semicircular arches. The exterior and interior are constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, with addition of red marble on the façade.
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption was originally designed and completed between 1215 and 1263 on the site of an earlier structure. It has the form of a Latin cross with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower.<br/><br/> The dome rises from a hexagonal base with supporting columns. The lantern atop the dome was added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The nave is separated from the two aisles by semicircular arches. The exterior and interior are constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, with addition of red marble on the façade.
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption was originally designed and completed between 1215 and 1263 on the site of an earlier structure. It has the form of a Latin cross with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower.<br/><br/> The dome rises from a hexagonal base with supporting columns. The lantern atop the dome was added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The nave is separated from the two aisles by semicircular arches. The exterior and interior are constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, with addition of red marble on the façade.
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption was originally designed and completed between 1215 and 1263 on the site of an earlier structure. It has the form of a Latin cross with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower.<br/><br/> The dome rises from a hexagonal base with supporting columns. The lantern atop the dome was added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The nave is separated from the two aisles by semicircular arches. The exterior and interior are constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, with addition of red marble on the façade.
According to legend, Montepulciano was founded by the Etruscan King Lars Porsena of Chiusi; recent findings prove that a settlement was already in existence in the 4th-3rd centuries BCE. In Roman times it was the seat of a garrison guarding the main roads of the area.<br/><br/> After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it developed as a religious center under the Lombards. In the 12th century it was repeatedly attacked by the Republic of Siena, which the Poliziani faced with the help of the Perugia and Orvieto, and sometimes Florence, communes. The 14th century was characterized by constant struggles between the local noble families, until the Del Pecora family became rulers of the town.<br/><br/> From 1390, Montepulciano was a loyal ally (and later possession) of Florence and, until the mid-16th century, lived a period of splendour with architects such as Antonio da Sangallo the Elder, Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, Baldassarre Peruzzi, Ippolito Scalza and others, building luxurious residences and other edifices here. In 1559, when Siena was conquered by Florence and Montepulciano lost its strategic role, its importance declined.
According to legend, Montepulciano was founded by the Etruscan King Lars Porsena of Chiusi; recent findings prove that a settlement was already in existence in the 4th-3rd centuries BCE. In Roman times it was the seat of a garrison guarding the main roads of the area.<br/><br/> After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it developed as a religious center under the Lombards. In the 12th century it was repeatedly attacked by the Republic of Siena, which the Poliziani faced with the help of the Perugia and Orvieto, and sometimes Florence, communes. The 14th century was characterized by constant struggles between the local noble families, until the Del Pecora family became rulers of the town.<br/><br/> From 1390, Montepulciano was a loyal ally (and later possession) of Florence and, until the mid-16th century, lived a period of splendour with architects such as Antonio da Sangallo the Elder, Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, Baldassarre Peruzzi, Ippolito Scalza and others, building luxurious residences and other edifices here. In 1559, when Siena was conquered by Florence and Montepulciano lost its strategic role, its importance declined.
According to legend, Montepulciano was founded by the Etruscan King Lars Porsena of Chiusi; recent findings prove that a settlement was already in existence in the 4th-3rd centuries BCE. In Roman times it was the seat of a garrison guarding the main roads of the area.<br/><br/> After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it developed as a religious center under the Lombards. In the 12th century it was repeatedly attacked by the Republic of Siena, which the Poliziani faced with the help of the Perugia and Orvieto, and sometimes Florence, communes. The 14th century was characterized by constant struggles between the local noble families, until the Del Pecora family became rulers of the town.<br/><br/> From 1390, Montepulciano was a loyal ally (and later possession) of Florence and, until the mid-16th century, lived a period of splendour with architects such as Antonio da Sangallo the Elder, Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, Baldassarre Peruzzi, Ippolito Scalza and others, building luxurious residences and other edifices here. In 1559, when Siena was conquered by Florence and Montepulciano lost its strategic role, its importance declined.
Saint Minias (3rd century CE) is venerated as the first Christian martyr of Florence. The church of San Miniato al Monte is dedicated to him. According to legend, he was an Armenian king or prince serving in the Roman Army – or making a penitential pilgrimage to Rome – who had decided to become a hermit near Florence.<br/><br/> He was denounced as a Christian and in 250 CE brought before Emperor Decius, who was persecuting Christians. Miniato refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods, and was put through numerous torments – he was thrown into a furnace, was lapidated, and was thrown to a lion or a panther at an amphitheater – from which he emerged unharmed. Finally, he was beheaded near the present Piazza della Signoria, but his legend states that he picked up his own head. Miniato then crossed the Arno and returned to his hermitage on the hill known as Mons Fiorentinus (Monte di Firenze).<br/><br/> A shrine was later erected at this spot and there was a chapel there by the 8th century. Construction of the present church was begun in 1013 by Bishop Alibrando and it was endowed by the Emperor Henry II. The adjoining monastery began as a Benedictine community, then passed to the Cluniacs and then in 1373 to the Olivetans, who still run it.
Saint Minias (3rd century CE) is venerated as the first Christian martyr of Florence. The church of San Miniato al Monte is dedicated to him. According to legend, he was an Armenian king or prince serving in the Roman Army – or making a penitential pilgrimage to Rome – who had decided to become a hermit near Florence.<br/><br/> He was denounced as a Christian and in 250 CE brought before Emperor Decius, who was persecuting Christians. Miniato refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods, and was put through numerous torments – he was thrown into a furnace, was lapidated, and was thrown to a lion or a panther at an amphitheater – from which he emerged unharmed. Finally, he was beheaded near the present Piazza della Signoria, but his legend states that he picked up his own head. Miniato then crossed the Arno and returned to his hermitage on the hill known as Mons Fiorentinus (Monte di Firenze).<br/><br/> A shrine was later erected at this spot and there was a chapel there by the 8th century. Construction of the present church was begun in 1013 by Bishop Alibrando and it was endowed by the Emperor Henry II. The adjoining monastery began as a Benedictine community, then passed to the Cluniacs and then in 1373 to the Olivetans, who still run it.
Saint Minias (3rd century CE) is venerated as the first Christian martyr of Florence. The church of San Miniato al Monte is dedicated to him. According to legend, he was an Armenian king or prince serving in the Roman Army – or making a penitential pilgrimage to Rome – who had decided to become a hermit near Florence.<br/><br/> He was denounced as a Christian and in 250 CE brought before Emperor Decius, who was persecuting Christians. Miniato refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods, and was put through numerous torments – he was thrown into a furnace, was lapidated, and was thrown to a lion or a panther at an amphitheater – from which he emerged unharmed. Finally, he was beheaded near the present Piazza della Signoria, but his legend states that he picked up his own head. Miniato then crossed the Arno and returned to his hermitage on the hill known as Mons Fiorentinus (Monte di Firenze).<br/><br/> A shrine was later erected at this spot and there was a chapel there by the 8th century. Construction of the present church was begun in 1013 by Bishop Alibrando and it was endowed by the Emperor Henry II. The adjoining monastery began as a Benedictine community, then passed to the Cluniacs and then in 1373 to the Olivetans, who still run it.
Saint Minias (3rd century CE) is venerated as the first Christian martyr of Florence. The church of San Miniato al Monte is dedicated to him. According to legend, he was an Armenian king or prince serving in the Roman Army – or making a penitential pilgrimage to Rome – who had decided to become a hermit near Florence.<br/><br/> He was denounced as a Christian and in 250 CE brought before Emperor Decius, who was persecuting Christians. Miniato refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods, and was put through numerous torments – he was thrown into a furnace, was lapidated, and was thrown to a lion or a panther at an amphitheater – from which he emerged unharmed. Finally, he was beheaded near the present Piazza della Signoria, but his legend states that he picked up his own head. Miniato then crossed the Arno and returned to his hermitage on the hill known as Mons Fiorentinus (Monte di Firenze).<br/><br/> A shrine was later erected at this spot and there was a chapel there by the 8th century. Construction of the present church was begun in 1013 by Bishop Alibrando and it was endowed by the Emperor Henry II. The adjoining monastery began as a Benedictine community, then passed to the Cluniacs and then in 1373 to the Olivetans, who still run it.
Saint Minias (3rd century CE) is venerated as the first Christian martyr of Florence. The church of San Miniato al Monte is dedicated to him. According to legend, he was an Armenian king or prince serving in the Roman Army – or making a penitential pilgrimage to Rome – who had decided to become a hermit near Florence.<br/><br/> He was denounced as a Christian and in 250 CE brought before Emperor Decius, who was persecuting Christians. Miniato refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods, and was put through numerous torments – he was thrown into a furnace, was lapidated, and was thrown to a lion or a panther at an amphitheater – from which he emerged unharmed. Finally, he was beheaded near the present Piazza della Signoria, but his legend states that he picked up his own head. Miniato then crossed the Arno and returned to his hermitage on the hill known as Mons Fiorentinus (Monte di Firenze).<br/><br/> A shrine was later erected at this spot and there was a chapel there by the 8th century. Construction of the present church was begun in 1013 by Bishop Alibrando and it was endowed by the Emperor Henry II. The adjoining monastery began as a Benedictine community, then passed to the Cluniacs and then in 1373 to the Olivetans, who still run it.
Saint Minias (3rd century CE) is venerated as the first Christian martyr of Florence. The church of San Miniato al Monte is dedicated to him. According to legend, he was an Armenian king or prince serving in the Roman Army – or making a penitential pilgrimage to Rome – who had decided to become a hermit near Florence.<br/><br/> He was denounced as a Christian and in 250 CE brought before Emperor Decius, who was persecuting Christians. Miniato refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods, and was put through numerous torments – he was thrown into a furnace, was lapidated, and was thrown to a lion or a panther at an amphitheater – from which he emerged unharmed. Finally, he was beheaded near the present Piazza della Signoria, but his legend states that he picked up his own head. Miniato then crossed the Arno and returned to his hermitage on the hill known as Mons Fiorentinus (Monte di Firenze).<br/><br/> A shrine was later erected at this spot and there was a chapel there by the 8th century. Construction of the present church was begun in 1013 by Bishop Alibrando and it was endowed by the Emperor Henry II. The adjoining monastery began as a Benedictine community, then passed to the Cluniacs and then in 1373 to the Olivetans, who still run it.
Saint Minias (3rd century CE) is venerated as the first Christian martyr of Florence. The church of San Miniato al Monte is dedicated to him. According to legend, he was an Armenian king or prince serving in the Roman Army – or making a penitential pilgrimage to Rome – who had decided to become a hermit near Florence.<br/><br/> He was denounced as a Christian and in 250 CE brought before Emperor Decius, who was persecuting Christians. Miniato refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods, and was put through numerous torments – he was thrown into a furnace, was lapidated, and was thrown to a lion or a panther at an amphitheater – from which he emerged unharmed. Finally, he was beheaded near the present Piazza della Signoria, but his legend states that he picked up his own head. Miniato then crossed the Arno and returned to his hermitage on the hill known as Mons Fiorentinus (Monte di Firenze).<br/><br/> A shrine was later erected at this spot and there was a chapel there by the 8th century. Construction of the present church was begun in 1013 by Bishop Alibrando and it was endowed by the Emperor Henry II. The adjoining monastery began as a Benedictine community, then passed to the Cluniacs and then in 1373 to the Olivetans, who still run it.
Firenze or Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany. It was a centre of medieval European trade and finance and one of the wealthiest cities of that era. It is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, and has been called 'the Athens of the Middle Ages'.<br/><br/> A turbulent political history includes periods of rule by the powerful Medici family and numerous religious and republican revolutions. From 1865 to 1871 the city was the capital of the recently established Kingdom of Italy.<br/><br/> The Florentine dialect forms the base of Standard Italian and it became the language of culture throughout Italy due to the prestige of the masterpieces by Dante Alighieri, Petrarch, Giovanni Boccaccio, Niccolò Machiavelli and Francesco Guicciardini.
Saint Minias (3rd century CE) is venerated as the first Christian martyr of Florence. The church of San Miniato al Monte is dedicated to him. According to legend, he was an Armenian king or prince serving in the Roman Army – or making a penitential pilgrimage to Rome – who had decided to become a hermit near Florence.<br/><br/> He was denounced as a Christian and in 250 CE brought before Emperor Decius, who was persecuting Christians. Miniato refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods, and was put through numerous torments – he was thrown into a furnace, was lapidated, and was thrown to a lion or a panther at an amphitheater – from which he emerged unharmed. Finally, he was beheaded near the present Piazza della Signoria, but his legend states that he picked up his own head. Miniato then crossed the Arno and returned to his hermitage on the hill known as Mons Fiorentinus (Monte di Firenze).<br/><br/> A shrine was later erected at this spot and there was a chapel there by the 8th century. Construction of the present church was begun in 1013 by Bishop Alibrando and it was endowed by the Emperor Henry II. The adjoining monastery began as a Benedictine community, then passed to the Cluniacs and then in 1373 to the Olivetans, who still run it.
Firenze or Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany. It was a centre of medieval European trade and finance and one of the wealthiest cities of that era. It is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, and has been called 'the Athens of the Middle Ages'.<br/><br/> A turbulent political history includes periods of rule by the powerful Medici family and numerous religious and republican revolutions. From 1865 to 1871 the city was the capital of the recently established Kingdom of Italy.<br/><br/> The Florentine dialect forms the base of Standard Italian and it became the language of culture throughout Italy due to the prestige of the masterpieces by Dante Alighieri, Petrarch, Giovanni Boccaccio, Niccolò Machiavelli and Francesco Guicciardini.
Galileo Galilei (15 Feb. 1564—8 Jan. 1642) was an Italian physicist, mathematician, philosopher and astronomer who played a pivotal role in establishing modern science at a time when contradiction of religion was considered heresy. It was as an astronomer that he was most controversial. Galileo developed telescopes that confirmed the phases of Venus, and the discovery of the four largest satellites of Jupiter (named the Galilean moons in his honour), as well as sunspots.<br/><br/> In 1610, while a majority of philosophers and astronomers still subscribed to the geocentric opinion that the Earth was the centre of the universe, Galileo came out in support of Copernicus' heliocentric view that the Sun was at the center of the solar system.<br/><br/> Galileo's opinions were met with outrage and bitter opposition, and he was denounced to the Roman Inquisition. In February 1616, although he had been cleared of any offence, the Catholic Church nevertheless condemned heliocentrism as 'false and contrary to [Christian] Scripture' and forced Galileo to renounce his scientific conclusions.<br/><br/> However, in 1632, Galileo published 'Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems', in which he again defended heliocentrism. He was tried by the Inquisition, found 'vehemently suspect of heresy', forced to recant, and spent the rest of his life under house arrest.