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Museo degli Strumenti per il Calcolo

About

The Museo degli Strumenti per il Calcolo is one of Pisa’s most fascinating scientific museums, housed in the restored 19th‑century slaughterhouses known as the Vecchi Macelli. Part of the University of Pisa, it opened in 2000 and preserves an exceptional collection tracing five centuries of mathematical and computing history. Visitors can explore early abacuses, proportional compasses, slide rules, experimental scientific instruments and rare mechanical calculators, as well as large early computers that mark the birth of Italian information technology. The museum also safeguards important archives, including manuscripts and notes by innovators such as Antonio Pacinotti. Its spacious industrial setting enhances the experience, allowing the evolution of calculation—from manual tools to electronic machines—to unfold clearly and engagingly. For anyone interested in the roots of modern computing, this museum offers a unique and insightful journey.

Pisa Italy

Location

Museo degli Strumenti per il Calcolo is located in the former slaughterhouse area (Vecchi Macelli) at Via Bonanno Pisano 2/B and Largo Padre Renzo Spadoni 2, within Pisa's Citadella Galileiana in the historic center, Tuscany, Italy. This modernized industrial complex sits south of the Arno River near the Fortezza di San Gallo park and medieval city walls. Nearby attractions include San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno church, the lively student neighborhood around the University of Pisa, and a short walk to Piazza dei Cavalieri, Borgo Stretto shopping street, and the Leaning Tower area.

Museo degli Strumenti per il Calcolo

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