Leonardo Museum
A journey through inventions, machines and genius loci in Leonardo da Vinci’s birthplace
The Leonardo Museum in Vinci, which opened in 1953 on April 15 (Leonardo’s birthday!) is one of the most important institutions dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci. The museum tour has two locations in the birthplace of the great genius: the Conti Castle and the Palazzina Uzielli. This collection represents one of the largest and most original in the world devoted to Leonardo the inventor, technologist and engineer, displaying over 60 models of machines reconstructed based on his sketches and designs.
The museum tour is divided into several thematic sections distributed between the two main venues. The Palazzina Uzielli houses sections on construction machinery, textile technology, mechanical clocks and anatomical studies, with the addition of interactive exhibits and digital animations that make the visit more engaging.
The Conti Guidi Castle, a historical symbol of the city, houses sections on the ground floor devoted to civil engineering, war machines, flight, mechanisms and instruments. On the 2ⁿᵈ floor is the scenic Podestà Room, with the exhibition “Leonardo’s Anatomical Drawing at the Time of the Salvator Mundi,” a room dedicated to devices for handling water and river navigation, along with an immersive room with the video installation “Ebbe nome Lionardo”.
At the end of the visit, it is possible to climb up 120 steps to the tower’s panoramic terrace, from which there is a spectacular view of the Montalbano hills and Valdarno Inferiore.
The Leonardo Museum not only presents static models but offers a dynamic and interactive experience, thanks to virtual applications, digital animations and educational pathways. This provides an in-depth understanding of Leonardo’s inventions and genius, exploring his innovative vision. The museum likewise organizes educational activities and workshops for children, schools and families, making the visit an opportunity for learning and fun for all ages.
At just under 2 miles (3 kilometers) from Vinci, you can complete the itinerary with a visit to Casa Natale di Leonardo (Birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci), a symbol of the origins of the Renaissance genius.
