Everyone gets a lift up
Ironically, Newton’s turn of phrase wasn’t even entirely his own. The phrase can be traced back to the twelfth century, when the author John of Salisbury wrote that philosopher Bernard of Chartres compared people to dwarves perched on the shoulders of giants and said that “we see more and farther than our predecessors, not because we have keener vision or greater height, but because we are lifted up and borne aloft on their gigantic stature.”
The phrase Standing on the shoulders of Giants is a metaphor which means “Using the understanding gained by major thinkers who have gone before in order to make intellectual progress”. It is a metaphor of dwarfs standing on the shoulders of giants (Latin: nanos gigantum humeris insidentes) and expresses the meaning of “discovering truth by building on previous discoveries”.
Humanism and the Renaissance, Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, rediscover the ancient literature, which become a stimulus to literature and learning The Renaissance concerned with this world, rather than the next, finds its principal expression in painting and architecture, but also in science and literature, which now break free from theology.
The central Italian region of Tuscany has given a lot to the Western world.
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants Footsteps
You might find interesting to retrace the footsteps of these remarkable Giants, and also to discover hidden gems of our rich past.
Here you find our suggestions and advices for better planning and living your holidays in Chianti.
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
Dante Tour
Following Dante Footsteps in Florence
Dante’s Florence
Follow Dante’s footsteps and discover the places he loved most, a Medieval Florence, hidden in todays modern city. Visit the cherished places, that were so passionately described in his literary masterpieces
Dante’s Inferno
A Thrilling Tour
Dante’s Inferno Tour
In the footsteps of Robert Langdon in the “Inferno” by Dan Brown, experiencing striking adventures, discovering thrilling secrets. Love, Politic, Religion and Spirituality, an incredibly immersive tour of Dante’s time.
Machiavelli Tour
Machiavelli Exile at Albergaccio
machiavelli & Albergaccio
Machiavelli once a mighty secretary of the Republic of Florence, was exiled here from Florence in 1512. Visit the places where he devoted himself to studying and writing, and enjoy a superlative Chianti Wine Tasting.
Leonardo Tour
Leonardo in Florence
The Genius of Leonardo
An evocative journey in the places frequented by the great Tuscan genius, you will retrace the footsteps of Leonardo and Mona Lisa, enter intimate and hidden places reliving the magical atmosphere of the Renaissance period.
Boccaccio Tour
Boccaccio in Certaldo
Boccaccio And Certaldo
Certaldo Alto is a well preserved Medieval hamlet, you will enjoy a pleasant walk in the old town. A must see: Boccaccio’s House and Palazzo Pretorio, not to mention the scenery of uncommon beauty of the panorama all around.
Attrattive Local Tours of Interest
Semifonte the Lost City
The Heritage of Semifonte
Hiking Guided Tour
Hiking tour to retrace the lost city of Semifonte, bitter enemy of Florence, walking through woods, discover ancient springs. All around the Chianti superb landscape!
Badia a Passignano Treasures
Badia a Passignano Monastery
Discovering a Shrine
This beautiful Monastery, founded in 1049, besides a quadrangular fortified monastic complex, surrounded by vineyards and a ravishing Chianti Panorama, boasts the recently restored Ghirlandaio’s Last Supper Fresco.
Leonardo Weirs a Trekking Experience with Aperitif
Leonardo Weirs Trekking Trail
Trekking & Aperitif
A wonderful Trekking Experience, to discover the weirs designed by Leonardo and annotated along with a map on the Leicester Code, c 27v). A simple walk alongside the Agliena Creek, with its many cascades. At the end of the trail, a well-deserved Aperitif.
Cedalion Standing on the Shoulders of Orion
from Blind Orion Searching for the Rising Sun by Nicolas Poussin, 1658, Oil on canvas; 46 7/8 × 72 in. (119.1 × 182.9 cm), Metropolitan Museum of Art
