Museo degli Strumenti di Fisica
University museum in Pisa with physics and astronomy instruments from the 18th to the early 20th century, including Pacinotti's dynamo.
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About the museum
The Museo degli Strumenti di Fisica is part of the museum system of the University of Pisa and holds the scientific collections of the Department of Physics, built up over several centuries for teaching and research. It is housed in the Vecchi Macelli area, a late 19th-century building adapted as a museum space and now known as the Cittadella Galileiana.
The most celebrated core is the Fondo Pacinotti, linked to Antonio Pacinotti, inventor of the “macchinetta”, the first direct-current dynamo-motor, and of electromagnetic traction devices. The collections include physics and astronomy instruments from the 18th, 19th and first half of the 20th century, arranged by type: mechanical, astronomical, electromagnetic, chronometric, optical and acoustic.
Important documentary archives complete the holdings, such as the Archivio Pacinotti, the Archivio Fermi-Persico and the Archivio Riccardo Felici, now preserved by the university library system. Part of the instruments from the Specola pisana (Pisa observatory) and from the Studio di Fisica is displayed in the premises of the Ludoteca Scientifica, where the museum also offers educational activities for children, young people and adults.
Highlights
- Direct-current dynamo-motor of Antonio Pacinotti
- Electromagnetic traction devices from the Fondo Pacinotti
- Physics and astronomy instruments from the 18th to the early 20th century
- Instruments from the Specola pisana
- Historic archives Pacinotti, Fermi-Persico and Felici
Permanent exhibition
- Strumenti di fisica e astronomia – Scientific instruments from the 18th to the first half of the 20th century, with Antonio Pacinotti's inventions and instruments from the Specola pisana.
- Founded
- 2017
- Operated by
- Sistema museale di Ateneo, Università di Pisa
- Visitors per year
- approx. 14,278
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2.50 |
|---|
Standard ticket of €2.50 according to a MuseiOnline portal entry from October 2024; please check the price with the museum.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
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| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours and educational activities by reservation; access to the Ludoteca Scientifica is only possible by prior arrangement. |
