Vinci

As you approach the gates of Vinci, you can feel from the view the deep connection that exists between Leonardo and these landscapes.

The rolling hills, the wide fields of vineyards and olive groves: all this beauty has undoubtedly contributed to enveloping and influencing the imagination, ingenuity, creativity and genius of one of the greatest men ever born.

Win, or rather, Anchiano

Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452 in Anchiano, Italy. Yes, ok, we all know it as "da Vinci" but don't worry, it's not a mistake: the city of Anchiano is in fact located in the municipality of Vinci.

He was the illegitimate son of Piero and a woman of modest extraction, Caterina, and lived in a humble dwelling, which can still be visited today and contains copies of his work, until 1468 when he went to live in Florence where he began his apprenticeship with Andrea del Verrocchio.

We visit Vinci

The beautiful city of Vinci is small and charming, about 4,000 people live there.

Its economy is based on agriculture, such as the production of wine and olive oil and the art of ceramics. There are also some beautiful Romanesque churches, which you can find walking through the picturesque and enchanting alleys of its village, while you are in front of far-reaching views of the Tuscan countryside.

Obviously, there are also many sites related to Leonardo, including the Museo Leonardiano divided as follows:

• on the ground floor there are several models of various machines;
• on the first floor machines and equipment, still fully functional;
• on the second floor, visitors can find video and audio about Leonardo and copies of his models, paintings and inventions.

There are also several educational activities for children that allow them to put themselves in the shoes of the Genius: they can be scientists, painters, architects, sculptors ...

The Museo Leonardiano was originally opened in 1953 and over the years has been expanded and constantly renovated; tells the life and part of his works - including even the most brilliant and visionary creations of Leonardo - accompanying everything with information and anecdotes about his life: everything here speaks of the Genius and his hometown.

In addition to the Museo Leonardiano

In addition to the Museum, in Vinci you will find other traces of Leonardo such as the famous equestrian statue, based on his original idea and now located in Piazza della Libertà: the monument is inspired by the unfinished project of a colossal statue for Francesco Sforza, to whose creation Leonardo dedicated himself in the years of his first stay in Milan.

The contemporary statue is the work of the artist Nina Akamu and in 2001 the sculpture was donated to Leonardo's hometown.

Then there is the church of Santa Croce: inside there are valuable works of art and an altar "... the ancient baptismal font is preserved, in which it is believed that on April 16, 1452 the parish priest Piero di Bartolomeo Cecci baptized Leonardo".

Leonardo da Vinci was one of the greatest thinkers in history and one of the greatest creative minds of the Italian Renaissance. Artist, sculptor and talented engineer, scientist and even inventor. The history of many Italian cities is closely linked to the Genius, but Vinci remains his native land: a place to visit with the beautiful season just arrived.

image sources: non solo turisti, la luna di carta, trip advisor, tuscany, tuttoscuola