Calendario eventi
a Venerdì 08 Maggio 2026
International Workshop
May 7 th -8 th , 2026
Urbino, Via S. Girolamo, 61029 Urbino PU
***
Paul of Middelburg (1446?–1534) is notably cited by Copernicus – both as bishop of Fossombrone and as an astronomer – when dedicating De revolutionibus orbium coelestium to Pope Paul III. This workshop offers the first systematic exploration of Paul’s scientific profile: his mathematical and astronomical work, his activity as astrologer and physician at the court of Federico da Montefeltro in Urbino, and his role in late-fifteenth and early-sixteenth-century debates where astronomy and astrology were closely intertwined. Paul vigorously advocated a calendar reform, promoted the study of algebra and mechanics, and produced a substantial corpus of prognostications. By tracing how he connected calculation, observation, and predictive practices, the workshop reconstructs a coherent “science of time” and situates it within the scholarly networks that linked the Duchy of Urbino with the Low Countries, bridging northern and southern Renaissance Europe and placing scientific expertise at the heart of contemporary political life.
May 7th, 2026
Sala della Tartaruga, Palazzo Passionei, via Valerio 9
9.00-9.15 | Chair Flavia Marcacci (University of Urbino)
Giorgio Calcagnini, Magnific Rector, University of Urbino
Giovanni Piersanti, Vice Rector for Research, University of Urbino
Andrea Vicerè, Head of Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Urbino
Laerte Sorini, Director of International Center Urbino e la Prospettiva
Session. Stars, Calendars, Prognostications.
9.15-10.00
Philipp Nothaft (University of Oxford), Paul of Middelburg, Chronologer.
10.00-10.45
Stephan Heilen (University of Osnabrück), A Prognosticum by Paul of Middelburg.
10.45-11.00 | Discussion
11.00-11.30 | Coffee break
Session. Paul, a man of many faces
Chair Veronica Gavagna (University of Florence)
11.30-12.15
Davide Pietrini (University of Urbino), Elio Nenci (University of Milan), Life of Paul of
Middelburg at the Urbino Court: the testimony of Bernardino Baldi.
12.15-12.30
Anneke Pohle (University of Osnabrück, M.D.), Paul of Middelburg’s De numero atomorum totius
universi.
12.30-12.45
Giovanni Gaia (University of Urbino, Ph.D.), Paul of Middelburg in Guidobaldo del Monte.
12.45 | Lunch
Session. Mathematics, Astronomy, Scientific Instruments.
Chair Gian Italo Bischi (University of Urbino)
15.00-15.45
Vico Montebelli (University of Urbino), Paul of Middelburg, an algebraist at the court of Federico
da Montefeltro
15.45-16.15
Veronica Gavagna (University of Florence), Algebra in Paul of Middelburg and his context.
16.15-16.45
Flavia Marcacci (University of Urbino), After the Paulina: Paul of Middelburg’s Proposals for
Calendar Reform and his Views on Astronomy.
16.45-17.15
Giancarlo Truffa (SISFA), Paul of Middelburg and the instruments of an astrologer.
Public event: Opening Cerimony
h. 18.00-19.30, Chiesa di San Girolamo at the San Girolamo Library
Tempo misurato e previsioni celesti: scienza, calendari e strumenti al tempo di Paolo di
Middelburg.
Mostra di libri del Fondo Antico dell’Università di Urbino
Saluti introduttivi
Giorgio Calcagnini, Rettore Magnifico Università di Urbino
Vieri Fusi, Prorettore per la Valorizzazione e Sviluppo del Patrimonio
Interventi di: Marcella Peruzzi (Un. Urbino) e Flavia Marcacci (Un. Urbino)
20.00 | Social dinner
May 8 th , 2026
Sala della Tartaruga, Palazzo Passionei, via Valerio 9
Welcome and Twinning session
9.15-9.30 | Greetings and Opening remarks.
Francesco Amadori (Head of the Culture and Tourism Office, Municipality of Fossombrone)
9.30-10.00
Henk de Kunder (Heritage Policy Officer, Municipality of Middelburg), Paul of Middelburg:
connection between the Gregorian calendar and the Low Countries.
Session: Paul of Middelburg and the Court of Urbino.
10.00-10.30
Oscar Mei (University of Urbino), Paolo of Middelburg and his Collection of Antiquities.
10.30-11.00
Sara Taglialagamba (COST Program, University of Urbino), Paul of Middelburg, Marsilio Ficino,
Leonardo da Vinci.
11.00 | Coffee break
11.00-11.30
Raffaella Marotti (University of Urbino), The Instruments of Felice and Francesco Paciotti:
Mathematical Disciplines and Their Legacy in the Duchy of Urbino during the Sixteenth Century
11.30-12.00
Stephan Heilen, Flavia Marcacci, Conclusive remarks.
12.00 | Farewell address.
12.30 | Lunch.
15.00 | Visit to Dukal Palace and Raphael’s House.
Info:
Link Zoom: https://uniurb-it.zoom.us/j/83257119425?pwd=BZ7aQbOeJ0sbfQRZ4QhVO347UMhliP.1
Scientific and Organizing Commettee: Gian Italo Bischi, Vincenzo Fano, Giovanni Gaia,
Veronica Gavagna, Pierluigi Graziani, Stephan Heilen, Giovanni Macchia, Flavia Marcacci, Vico
Montebelli, Elio Nenci, Davide Pietrini, Sara Taglialagamba.</br<>