Pinacoteca
THE MIDDLE AGES IN MANUSCRIPT BOOKS
An itinerary through the treasures of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana curated by Federico Gallo and Stefano Martinelli Tempesta | Pinacoteca, rooms 2 and 3
An astrolabe is an ancient instrument used to locate the position of celestial bodies (sun, moon and stars): it represents the celestial vault projected on a plane. Astrolabes were used until the 17th century, when more precise astronomical instruments were introduced. However, they were included in scientific collections as a sign of cultural refinement. This astrolabe, dating from 1500, could determine the position of thirty eight stars.