Accademia Galileiana

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The Accademia Galileiana ('Galilean academy') is a learned society in the city of

The "Ricovrati"

The name "ricovrati" literally means 'sheltered' and the academy took its name from a line from Boethius, "Bipatens animis asylum" (Latin, 'a sanctuary of the soul open at both ends'), related to a scene by Homer (Odyssey, book 13) describing a cave, open at both ends, and sheltered by an olive tree. This image was used in their heraldic badge.

Female members

At the end of the 17th century, the Academy of the Ricovrati was one of the few in Europe which had female members. These included the first woman in Europe to receive a university diploma, Elena Cornaro Piscopia. Other female members included Anne Dacier, Madeleine de Scudéry, Maria Selvaggia Borghini, and Marie-Catherine de Villedieu. Female membership in this period was only honorary and female members did not have the right to vote or occupy administrative posts in the academy. Of the 25 women admitted to the society between the 17th and 18th century, only four were Italian; the others were French and did not attend meetings.

The Enlightenment

Antonio Vallisneri became president of the academy in 1722, and proceeded to enact a series of reforms based on the principles of the Enlightenment. He also instigated a series of debates on the education of women and their inclusion in such academies.

Notable members

• Galileiana Academy of Arts and Science official page (in English)

45°24′27″N 11°52′16″E / 45.4076°N 11.8710°E / 45.4076; 11.8710