The 17th century was a tumultuous period in Italian history , with several political and social changes , and times of much civil and military unrest . This included the increase in number of Spanish colonies and possessions along the peninsula , and the increase in power of the pope and the Roman Catholic Church during the Counter Reformation , a counterpart of the Protestant Reformation . Despite several artistic and scientific contributions , such as the invention of several musical instruments , stylistic genres , astronomical discoveries and the creation of the Baroque , Italy , which was the cultural leader of Europe in the 16th century , experienced a social decline , which slowly began in the beginning of the 17th century and fell towards the end of the century . This was due to persistent conflicts , revolts ( such as the Neapolitan 1647 tax-related Revolt of Masaniello ) , invasions and the rise in popularity of French , English and Spanish culture . Events which happened during this period include the 1633 papal trial of scientist Galileo Galilei , the 1647 revolt in Naples , the 1669 Mount Etna eruption , the 1674 rebellion in Messina and the 1693 Sicily earthquake
1693 Sicily earthquake
1693 Sicily earthquake
Seicento