Museo Leonardiano di Vinci

About the museum

The idea of dedicating a museum to Leonardo in his native land arose in 1919, during the celebrations for the fourth centenary of his death, when the Castello dei Conti Guidi was donated to the municipality of Vinci. After restorations in 1939–1942, the Museo Vinciano o delle Macchine di Leonardo opened on 15 April 1953, thanks to a donation from IBM, which gave the municipality a series of models rebuilt from Leonardo's drawings. The museum then occupied only four rooms of the castle, shared with the Biblioteca Leonardiana, which moved to its present site in 1983.

In 1986 the entire fortress of the Conti Guidi became the home of the museum, with a new display and new machines again donated by IBM, from the travelling exhibition Laboratorio di Leonardo; from then on the museum has been called the Leonardiano. In 1987 the large wooden sculpture of the Vitruvian Man by Mario Ceroli was unveiled in the panoramic square behind the castle. In 2004 the castle and the Palazzina Uzielli were joined in a single route, with new sections devoted to optics, construction machinery and textile manufacturing machines; in 2006 the piazza dei Guidi was redesigned by Mimmo Paladino as a striking entrance to the Palazzina.

Between 2008 and 2010 work on the castle removed architectural barriers and led to a new display, created with historians, engineers and digital modelling technicians. Today the museum comprises the Palazzina Uzielli, the Castello dei Conti Guidi with the panoramic terrace on the tower, and the educational and exhibition section Leonardo e la Pittura in via Roma; the offer also includes the Casa natale di Leonardo (Leonardo's birthplace) at Anchiano, with a combined ticket.

Highlights

• Machine models rebuilt from Leonardo's drawings
• Castello dei Conti Guidi with a panoramic terrace on the tower
• Palazzina Uzielli with sections on optics, construction machinery and textile manufacturing
• Educational and exhibition section Leonardo e la Pittura
• Vitruvian Man by Mario Ceroli and piazza by Mimmo Paladino

Permanent exhibitions

• Macchine e modelli di Leonardo – Models rebuilt from Leonardo's drawings in the rooms of the Palazzina Uzielli and the Castello dei Conti Guidi, with sections on optics, construction machinery and textile manufacturing.
• Leonardo e la Pittura – Educational and exhibition section in via Roma devoted to Leonardo's painting.

Founded

1953

Operated by

Comune di Vinci

Visitors per year

approx. 193,290

Admission & discounts

The Museo Leonardiano ticket covers the Palazzina Uzielli, the Castello dei Conti Guidi and the Leonardo e la Pittura section. Free admission also for residents of the municipality of Vinci, guides and tour escorts with groups, accredited journalists and tourism operators on educational tours.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Palazzina Uzielli and the Castello dei Conti Guidi are fully accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, with lifts and ramps, except for the top of the panoramic tower (124 steps, maximum 10 people at a time, accompanied minors). The castle has a dedicated entrance with a video intercom on the left-hand side of the building. The Casa natale di Leonardo is partly accessible; the video-narration room can only be reached by steps. The museum is in a ZTL zone and is normally reached only on foot; for car access for people with mobility difficulties, contact the Tourist Office (info@museoleonardiano.it, 0571 933285). Accessible toilets at all sites. Guide dogs are admitted; small animals only in a bag or carrier.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

The museum offers educational activities for families, schools and summer camps; toilet with changing table at the Palazzina Uzielli. The castle has a dedicated entrance for pushchairs.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the historic centre of Vinci, in a ZTL zone, and is normally reached only on foot. Details on arriving in Vinci are on the museum's website.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop at the ticket offices of the museum and the Casa natale; public toilets at via Montalbano 1, at the Tourist Office.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

The museum offers weddings at some of its sites ("Nozze al museo").

Plan your visit