Juanelo Turriano

Juanelo Turriano (Spanish name) or Gianello Torriano (Italian), also known as Giovanni Torriani (c. 1500 — 1585), was an Italian-Spanish clock maker, engineer and mathematician. He was born in Cremona. Called to Spain in 1529 by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, he was appointed Court Clock Master and built the Cristalino, an astronomical clock that made him famous in his time. Philip II of Spain named him Matemático Mayor. He worked and lived in To... more

Juanelo Turriano (Spanish name) or Gianello Torriano (Italian), also known as Giovanni Torriani (c. 1500 — 1585), was an Italian-Spanish clock maker, engineer and mathematician. He was born in Cremona. Called to Spain in 1529 by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, he was appointed Court Clock Master and built the Cristalino, an astronomical clock that made him famous in his time. Philip II of Spain named him Matemático Mayor. He worked and lived in Toledo, where he built the Artificio de Juanelo, an engine that, driven by the river itself, lifted water from the Tagus to a height of almost 100 meters, to supply the city and its castle (Alcázar). He died at Toledo in 1585. less