On the recommendation of one of the daughters, Virginia, also known as Sister Maria Celeste of the adjoining convent of S. Matteo in Arceretri, the great father of astronomy, Galileo Galilei, was graciously imprisoned in the villa the gem to Pian dei Giullari following his deed of abjuration on June 22, 1633. Our scientist was able to evaluate and expand on his research.
Given Galileo’s prominence among the European scholars of the time, it stands to reason that a bond was placed in “ Conceditur habitatio in eius rure,modo tamen ibi in solitudinestet, nec evocet eo aut venientes illuc recipat ad collocutiones,et hoc per tempus arbitrio Sua Sanctiatis” (the He is granted in his country, provided that he is in solitude and does not invite him or receives visitors for a period of time at the holiness’s discretion).
The tradition you mentioned refers to the visits of the English poet John Milton to Galileo Galilei at his villa in Arcetri, Florence. Milton, fascinated by Galileo’s discoveries and charisma, is said to have observed the celestial stars through Galileo’s telescope while seated in the villa’s loggia. This villa, often referred to as “Villa Il Gioiello,” was Galileo’s home during the final years of his life. The idea of Galileo sharing his astronomical discoveries with other learned contemporaries, like Milton, conjures a vivid image of intellectual exchange and wonder.
Indeed, many other illustrious figures of the period were interested in Galileo’s work, although specific visits are not well-documented. This narrative adds to the mystique surrounding Galileo’s contributions to science and his influence on the intellectual community of his time.
