“Museo Leonardiano”-Plazza
In the sweet town of Vinci, not far from Prato (home to the Virgin’s Girdle in the Duomo) is the amazing museum of Leonardo da Vinci. His birthplace offers just a small square with a magnificent horse statue, a few nice coffee bars and one really nice place to eat with super views called Il Ristoro del Museo.
You can also visit his birthplace, Casa di Leonardo which contains a few of his drawings…
But the Museo is not to be missed. I had noooooo idea all the man invented or at least started….You can get a guide in many languages and it is self guided in a lovely huge medieval castle like structure-named the Castello dei Conti Guidi (circa 1100). The 3 level museum contains remade models of his drawings, actual machines and some instruments.
Some really interesting items was the parachute, bicycle, crane, the loom, the spring (like the tiny spring in your clock or watch that makes the hands turn)!! Some items were wayyy over my head…my husband and kids were amazing by different items, so we were all entertained.
The first “car like” structure was my favorite…and the little gift shop was a favorite of the girls. Take a moment to visit -I promise you will learn something. For about 6 bucks you will have a nice tour.
I have always been amazed by his story-The illegitimate son of a 25-year-old notary and a peasant girl, he was born on April 15, 1452. I love how his last name (like Collidi who penned Pinocchio) is just the town he was born in …if we still followed that tradition I would be named Melonie de Nashville. So stop by Vinci and enjoy the view…we drove following the detailed map of Northern Tuscany I bought on Amazon.com-it has come in very handy.
Lovely restored building and walkway.
The tower was still being restored the day we were there but is now open for touring on certain days.
Town square is marked by this lovely horse-across the street from his “tail” is great coffee!
It’s a bit of a walk up to the eatery and the shop but it’s worth it….
the view is worth every step…another lovely village, another amazing view!
