Osservatorio Ximeniano
Observatory founded in 1756 by the Jesuit Leonardo Ximenes in the former San Giovannino college, with scientific instruments, libraries and a rich map collection.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The observatory was founded in 1756 by the Jesuit Leonardo Ximenes and is still active in the same premises, on the top floor of the convent of San Giovannino, opposite the basilica of San Lorenzo. At first it was devoted mainly to astronomy and hydraulics, the main interests of Ximenes, who during the thirty years he spent in Florence directed many hydraulic and road projects for the Grand Duchy and had founded a small university there with chairs in astronomy and hydraulics.
In 1773 the Jesuits left San Giovannino and the Piarist fathers (Scolopi) took over, continuing to host Ximenes. On his death in 1786 he left his instruments and library to the Scolopi. The Scolopi ran the observatory until 2004; today it is managed by the Fondazione Osservatorio Ximeniano.
The institute is linked to five fields of activity: modern meteorology, astronomy, cartography, with the first Carta geometrica della Toscana (Geometric Map of Tuscany) and its preparatory documents, seismology and radio technology. The museum area includes instruments for radio technology, astronomy, topographic surveying and seismology, and a large cartographic collection; there are also libraries, a historical archive, a map collection and a photo archive.
Highlights
- Observatory founded in 1756 by Leonardo Ximenes
- Instruments for astronomy, seismology and surveying
- Map collection with the Carta geometrica della Toscana and its preparatory documents
- Radio station from 1912 that received the time signal from Paris
- Antiquarian library, historical archive and photo collection
Permanent exhibition
- Area museale e strumenti scientifici – Instruments for radio technology, astronomy, topographic surveying and seismology, and a large cartographic collection.
- Founded
- 1756
- Operated by
- Fondazione Osservatorio Ximeniano di Firenze ONLUS
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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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 · approx. 75 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Access to the premises is permitted only to visitors with a booking. Guided tours are organised for groups of at least 10 people and last about 1 hour and 15 minutes; booking is compulsory via the form on the website or at visite@ximeniano.it. |
