Social Programme
Welcome Cocktail
Date: April 2nd, 2017, Location: Cultural Center San Gaetano
Social Dinner
Date: April 5th, 2017, Location: Cultural Center San Gaetano
Tours
Padova is one of the most important towns in Northern Italy, located in the Eastern area of the Po River Valley, only 35 km from Venice which is easily reachable by train or bus in less than 30 minutes (for more details on the city see About Padova).
In Padova Galileo Galilei first observed the moons of Jupiter, the phases of Venus, the mountains of the Moon and the solar black spot (1609-1610). Here, Galileo also wrote the Sidereus Nuncius, the book that paved the way to the Scientific Revolution. A century and a half later, in 1767, the Astronomical Observatory of Padova was founded. Padova hosts therefore one of the most ancient astronomical observatories in the world. Nowadays Padova Observatory is part of the Italian Institute for Astrophysics (INAF). The Observatory tower, the “Specola”, is part of the Observatory building: one of the best preserved and most beautiful architectural monuments in Italy. It hosts a Museum (the Museo La Specola) where ancient astronomical instruments used by the Padova astronomers in the XVIIIth and XIXth centuries are on display.
During your stay in Padova, you may wish to visit the Observatory and the Museum. This year is the 250th anniversary of the Astronomical Observatory. You will find an iconographic exhibit purposely realized to celebrate this important date. In addition, a guided tour of the main places connected with Galileo’s life and work in Padova (Galileo Tour) will be offered to the participants. It is an exceptional opportunity since most of these places are not customarily open to the public.
Practical information
The guided tours, in English and Italian, at the Museo La Specola and the Galileo Tour are by the “Associazione culturale la Torlonga”.
La Specola Museum and Galileo tours are available with advance reservation at the registration desk. Ticket payment will be done on site directly to the guides.
Due to limited numbers of persons at time, we ask to the Italian participants to book the special tours in Italian language.
Here you can find the timetable.
