Tomb Of Galileo Galilei, Basilica Of Santa Croce, Florence, Italy Editorial Photo

The famous astronomer and mathematician, Galileo Galilei, is buried beneath a magnificent tomb in the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, Italy. Galileo died in 1642, but due to the Inquisition was denied burial on consecrated ground. It wasn’t until 1703 when a pupil of Galileo’s, Vincenzo Viviani, died and left money to build a tomb for the scientist, that the church granted permission for the monument. The tomb was completed in 1737 and the remains of Galileo and Viviani were interred in his final resting place. The tomb was designed by Giulio Foggini. It displays a bust of Galileo and figures representing Astronomy and Geometry.