Galileo, Padua, and Italian Architecture

Thanks to this prosperity, major universities emerged in this area. Galileo Galilei studied in Venice and conducted his astronomical research at the University of Padua (1592-1610). Galileo is still a prominent figure in Padua. Let us first look at the astronomical observatory where Galileo did his research.

• Galileo's Observatory. Galileo observed stars, comets, and planets in this observatory with the telescopes he developed.
  1. Another view of the Observatory. The citizens of Padua are mighty proud of this historical structure. The observatory is still maintained and operated by the Univ. of padua.
  2. with a student at the Univ. of Padua.
  3. Old Court of the Univ. of Padua.
  4. Galileo's Office on the second floor of the University Court.
• Galileo's House and Galileo admirers.
  1. Entrance to the Casa Galileo Galilei.
  2. Plaque at the top of the Entrance Galileo Galilei, Professor at the University of Padua, lived here from 1952 to 1610.

The city of Padua has many medieval-style buildings. Even new buildings are being built in the old style. There are many Romanesque-style churches. You do not have to go to art museums in Padua. Go to churches.

• Basilica di Santa Giustina.
  1. Inside the Basilica.
  2. Statues on the Piazza de Valle in front of the Basilica.
• Tempio della Pace (Temple of Peace) defiantly standing against two giant modern structures. This is a Romanesque building with a large dome.
  1. Entrance to the Temple.
  2. Inside the Temple.
  3. One of the altars has modern flavor. This church was heavily damaged during the second World War, and the church interior has been reconstructed.
• Duomo di Padova. Padua Duomo seen from the rooftop restaurant of the NH Hotel building.
  1. Interior of the Duomo.
  2. Top of the Dome seen inside the Church.
  3. Market Building near the Duomo, with a cylindrical dome.
• Basilica di Saint Antonio
  1. viewed from a different angle.
  2. Inside the Basilica.
  3. Church Collection of Treasures.
  4. Auxiliary Buildings outside the Basilica.

Greek and Roman styles without harmony (above). Harmony of the two traditions to create a new style (below).

Indeed, in Padua, there are Romanesque buildings. Egyptians built Pyramids, Greeks built the Parthenon Temple. Romans figured out the vector division of forces experimentally. This enabled them to construct arches and domes. They developed Romanesque architecture with a semi-spherical dome providing a wide area under one roof without a jungle of supporting poles.

Let us look at some buildings in Verona. There are three interesting buildings at Verona's arena square.

• Roman Arena built during the first century.
• Greek-style government building.
• Greek-on-Roman. It is OK, but there seems to be something missing in this combination.

Could Italians afford this kind of imperfection? In order to find an answer to this question, let us go to Vicenza, and look at the Teotro Olimpico.

• Teatro Olimpico, under reconstruction. This building has a cylindrical dome.
• Teotro Olimpico. This partial view gives the answer to the question: perfect harmony of Greek and Roman designs.
• Inside the Building. I was not able to enter this building because it was being reconstructed, but this Wikipedia page gives photos of the theater inside.
• Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) was the architect for this building. He combined the Greek and Roman style to create his own Renaissance style. This is the beginning the Italian architecture.

• Victor Emanuel II Center at the Duomo Plaza in Milan. Milan and Vicenza are in different regions of Italy, and Milanese do not have respect for other regions. Yet, they had to adopt Palladio's design for this important building.
• Catherine's Summer Palace near St. Petersburg (Russia). Many palace and government buildings were also constructed in this Palladian style (photo 2003).

So, what lessons can we learn from the Italian architecture. If Italians created their own architecture, they did it by combining two existing styles, namely Greek and Roman styles. This is what I firmly believe in physics. My physics webpages always conclude with this point. Click here for my recent webpage on combining quantum mechanics and relativity.

Einstein's Observation Galilean Lorentzian

Newtonian Mechanics Yes No

Maxwell's E & M No Yes

If you do not take what I say seriously, it is OK. Let us see what Einstein did. Newtonian mechanics existed, so did Maxell's theory of electromagnetism. Einstein observed the following imperfect cominantion of these two theories.

Einstein observed this imperfect match and then fixed it to create a new mechanics. How about Feynman? Click here

Thus far, we have presented Italian architecture organized by one highly prejudiced physicist (myself). Architecture is of course more than physics. First of all, we become very happy when we look at stylish buildings. Let us see some other buildings in the Veneto region.

Venice is the capital city of the Veneto region which was a independent kingdom before Italy became a unified country. It would not be right to have a Veneto webapge without mentioning this important city. I have some old photos taken in 2000.

• St. Mark's Plaza seen from the Water.
  1. View from the Bell Tower at St. Mark's Plaza.
  2. People at the Plaza.
• St. Mark's Cathedral. Venice's No. 1 address.
  1. Domes of the Cathedral seen from the Bell Tower of St. Mark's Plaza.
  2. Fresco of Islamic Traders on the top of the entrance to the Cathedral.
  3. Islamic Influence. A building next to St. Mark's Cathedral. Venice was developed as a trading port with the Islamic world in the medieval age.
• Gondolas and Canal-side Shops. Venice is meaningless without gondolas and canals.
• Rialto Bridge. Maximum engineering application of the Romanesque concept (vector division of forces).

• Murano Island. Venice's Murano developed glass industry more than one thousand years ago. The glass products were major export items to the Islamic world. Even these days, Murano crystals are top-class items throughout the world.
  1. Here is webpage for this factory and sales store.
  2. Tyson's Galleria is a combination of an art a gallery and an expensive shopping center, near Washington, DC (USA). There are many Murano items on display. Price range: $5,000 -- $20,000.
  3. My House. Here is one of the Murano products in my house.

• Basilica di San Zeno. Verona also has a historical church. Unlike those in Padua, this church was built in Gothic style.
  1. San Zeno's Porch. He used to preach at his porch. The church garden appears to have an Islamic influence.
  2. Early Visitors to this Church, reflected in one of the frescos, include those from Africa and the Islamic world.
• Market Place. This place was a forum for Romans and the wall fresco is from the Roman period.
  1. Entrance to the Market Place.
  2. Another view of the Market Place. New Roman-style buildings.
• Old Castle along the Adize River.
  1. Old Castle Bridge across the Adize River.
  2. Another View of the Old Casle Bridge.
  3. Russian Student. I met this student from Moscow at the Old Castle Bridge in Verona. While talking about Russia, I mentioned Russia's T-34 tanks. This turned her on. She told me her grandfather operated a T-34 tank during World War II. She said he talks about the tank everyday. I can also talk about the T-34 tank.

• Romeo's House. This house is owned by a private person. We cannot go into Romeo's house, but Juliet's house is now a museum and open to public.
• Juliet's Balcony where she used to meet Romeo.
• Behind the Balcony. Juliet's room on the second floor of her house.
• Two Important Visitors. One is William Shakespeare, and the other person is still alive.
• Statue of Juliet. Everybody visiting her house has to have a photo with her, but I prefer having photos with real persons.
• Gentle Lady from Germany. I met there one German teacher who came with three students. We found two chairs which appeared to have been for Juliet's parents. We had a photo there. I also had a photo with her students.

Wherever I go, I talk with friendly and open-hearted people. Whenever I meet Italians, I feel as if I am one of them.

• At the Padua Railroad Station, talking to a young Italian professional (center). I thought she was a studentmet. Then a student from Albania came to the party. They seem to be interested in who will be the next president of the United States (May 2008).
• Italian Student I met on a train from Padua to Verona. She was across the central aisle, and I always enjoy talking with student (talking to student is my life-time job). When I asked her whether we could have a photo together, she came to my side with a flower which she received from her boyfriend. She wanted to make this old professor happy.
• Tourism Professional. I got lost in Verona, and was asking everybody for direction, but nobody was able to speak English. Suddenly this lady came to me with her boyfriend and told me everything I wanted to know. I asked her whether she was a student. She said No, but told me she studied languages and now working for a tourism company. A very cheerful Italian lady!
• Italian Sisters. I spotted these two look-alike Italian ladies at a Verona park. I asked them whether they are twins. They said No, but they said they are sisters. I then asked who is older. They did not answer but asked me sit down with them and have another photo.
• Whenever I go to Italy, I feel as if I am one of those Italians although I do not speak their language. This gathering took place in Vicenza (May 2008).

Click here for his home page.