For the lovers on the subjects related to the passage of time, there is at this moment a fabulous exhibition in History of Science Institute and Museum of Florence.

Till the end of September 2007 you can admire examples of basically Medieval and Renaissance astronomical instruments, sundials (gnomons) and clocks.

Under the supervision of Fillipo Camerota of the IMSS the history of time-measurement will be shown, from around 1.000 A.C. till nowadays, in ten different blocks (sub-exhibitions).

The blocks consist of photos, texts, originals, replicas, videos and projection screens.

Block one gives you different examples of time-measurement and also goes back in time to the origins of the gnomon. Here you also can learn how to draw your own sundial.

Block two is called “the sun in Aries” and shows you the memorial stone of the Loggia dei Lanzi, remembering the year 1750, when the Florentine calendar was abandoned for the Gregorian calendar.

Block three shows you photos of one of the most ancient astronomical sites of Florence; the Baptistery of San Giovanni.

In block four you see the first gnomon in a Florentine cathedral; the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and was installed in 1475 by Paolo Toscanelli.

Block five gives us insights in the way the church of Santa Maria della Carceri was built in the 15th century and where extraordinary light-effects are created in certain periods of the year.

In block six you are initiated in the secrets of the gnomon in the Uffizi.

The theme of block seven is the new sundial in Piazza dei Giudici. This gnomon also gives a spectacular view after sunset, because there are lights built inside the green water glass construction.

In the room of block eight you can find different types of ancient mechanical clocks and sundials.

Block nine shows you all the different astronomical instruments of Santa Maria Novella.

In block ten you learn everything about the gnomon of La Specola. (And if you are a fan of the famous Italian TV series “La piovra”, this must sound familiar).

Also the exhibition gives you an inside in the famous “sky” of the old sacristy of San Lorenzo, an exact and beautiful representation of the northern hemisphere, built by Brunelleschi between 1422 and 1428.

You find the museum at Piazza Giudici I in the centre of Florence. Opening hours: Daily from 9.30 till 17.00, except Thursdays till 13.00. Closed on Sundays. Entrance price: € 7, 50

For more information visit

• Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza