Museo Archimede e Leonardo

About the museum

The museum is located in Ortigia, in the historic centre of Syracuse, in the former Ritiro convent, an 18th-century building in Via Vincenzo Mirabella. It was founded as a women’s conservatory of the Ritiro and later raised to a Carmelite monastery under the name Santa Maria del Carmelo. The route puts the machines and insights attributed to the Archimedean tradition in relation to the studies and solutions developed by Leonardo da Vinci, who in his manuscripts repeatedly engaged with the problems of statics, geometry and mechanics that had occupied the Syracusan genius.

Since 2023 the museum has undertaken a renewal programme. The collection of over 50 working wooden models has been entirely rebuilt with the support of ArtesMechanicae, a research group on the history of science and technology, and of an international scientific committee. The visit follows the educational method “Learning by Understanding”: first observe and understand, then share, rework and finally experiment. The contents are accompanied by panels with several levels of reading and by a multilingual digital tour.

Highlights

• Over 50 working models inspired by Archimedes and Leonardo da Vinci
• Model of the Syrakosia
• Camera degli Specchi di Leonardo
• Multilingual digital tour included in the ticket
• Housed in the former Ritiro convent in Ortigia

Permanent exhibition

• Archimede e Leonardo: il percorso dei modelli – Over 50 rebuilt working models inspired by the machines of the Archimedean tradition and by the codices of Leonardo da Vinci.

Operated by

Associazione Leonardo da Vinci Arte e Progetti

Admission & discounts

Tickets are bought on site and include the multilingual digital tour. Free admission also for national and international tourist guides on duty with groups; entitlement to free admission is checked by staff.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

Access ramp, route accessible by wheelchair and accessible toilet. The digital tour has subtitles, useful for deaf visitors or visitors with hearing difficulties. Dogs are admitted (muzzle required for large breeds).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations: not available
• Baby changing facilities

The museum welcomes families with a scientific route: children observe and understand the models with adult mediation, while directly operating the models is not allowed. Panels with several levels of reading, also for younger visitors; toilets with a changing table.

Getting there & parking

From the railway station it is about 20–25 minutes on foot; by bus the journey takes about 3 minutes plus 8–10 minutes on foot. Car access to Ortigia is regulated by the limited traffic zone (ZTL): since 1 April 2026 it has applied Monday to Saturday 11:00–15:30 and 17:00–02:00, and on Sundays and public holidays 10:00–02:00.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

The shop in the reception area can be accessed even without a ticket. Large bags and rucksacks can be left free of charge at reception. There is museum Wi-Fi for visitors (credentials shown in the entrance hall), recommended for using the digital tour. The museum has air conditioning and heating.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit