Galileo Galilei was born in Pisa, Duchy of Florence (now Italy), the first of six children to Vincenzo Galilei, a lutenist, composer, and music theorist, and Giulia Ammannati.

Galileo's family moved to Florence, a major center of Renaissance culture and intellectual activity, providing him with exposure to art, literature, and humanist thought.

Galileo received his early education at home and at the Camaldolese Monastery of Vallombrosa, near Florence. He showed promise in literature and music, but his father intended him to pursue a more lucrative profession.

Following his father's wishes, Galileo enrolled at the University of Pisa to study medicine. However, he became more interested in mathematics and natural philosophy after being introduced to Euclid and Archimedes.

Due to financial constraints, Galileo was forced to withdraw from the University of Pisa without obtaining a formal degree. He returned to Florence, where he continued his studies independently.

Galileo wrote an essay describing his invention of a hydrostatic balance for weighing metals, demonstrating his early aptitude for experimentation and innovation. This early work helped him to gain a reputation in academic circles.