Vinci is a splendid one medieval site nestled between the hills of the Valdelsa and Montalbano, known throughout the world because it was born there Leonardo; to the point that every year many tourists go there to visit the childhood places of the greatest genius of the Renaissance.
The village of Vinci is not far from Florence, and is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves with characteristic terraces with dry stone walls. The town has an elliptical shape like a caravel, in which two trees can ideally be identified; identifiable with the bell tower of the church of Santa Croce and the tower of the Rocca dei Conti Guidi, which gave it the nickname "Castel della Nave".
Vinci and Leonardo's places
A visit to the splendid is not to be missed Church of the Holy Cross of thirteenth-century origin, restored several times over the centuries, which today presents a neo-Renaissance style; the last restorations were carried out between 1925-1935 which gave it its current appearance that we can admire.
On the left we see the Chapel of the Crucifix, with a wooden crucifix dating back to the first half of the fifteenth century, and the lying dead Christ dated 1614. In addition there are the relics of the Holy Cross and an effigy of the Addolorata. Among the most beautiful paintings there is a Nativity of the Virgin by Francesco Brina of the sixteenth century, and the Virgin of the Rosary. We can also admire a Magdalene and the most holy name of Mary of the Florentine school, the Miracle of San Biagio attributed to Gaetano Piattoli, and an Adoration of the Magi by Pier Dandini. On the right we find the Baptistery chapel restored in 1952, today used again for the ancient and famous baptismal font. It was here that Leonardo da Vinci was baptized on April 16, 1452 by the parish priest who was then Piero di Bartolomeo Cecci. On the right, in fact, we can see a plaque in which the place and date of the birth of the great inventor are remembered; extrapolated from a document that belonged to Leonardo's grandfather, Ser Antonio da Vinci. The chapel was also enriched with metal alloy sculptures created by Cecco Bonanotte.
From machines to Leonardo's birthplace
Another important stop on an ideal tour is undoubtedly al Leonardian Museum, contextualized in a Renaissance setting; an important center on the technical and scientific studies of Leonardo among the best known. It is interesting to see the functioning of Leonardo's machines, from military ones to those of construction sites, to instruments for scientific use.
Both the machines and the models are presented with exact references to the drawings and personal handwritten notes of the artist from Vinci. They are complemented by digital animations and interactive applications. At the beginning of the museum itinerary, a panel shows the crucial moments in Leonardo's life; everything is related to historical, cultural and social events of that period. Enchanting to continue dreaming while turning enraptured inside the Uzielli building and Castle of the Guidi counts; beautiful medieval fortification that dates back to the XNUMXth century. Many, perhaps especially children and adolescents, want to see and get lost in the ideal Leonardo da Vinci museum.
It is aimed at the deepening of the genius of Leonardo da Vinci, and the industriousness of his work as a scientist, inventor, designer and master of art. In Vinci there is one of the largest and most original collections dedicated to Leonardo, remembered as an engineer, architect and scientist.
The idea for creating the Museum it was born from an event in 1953, when IBM donated a series of Leonardo models to the Municipality of Vinci. How not to visit the Leonardian Library, a true focus of specialized study on Leonardo's work; point of reference for Italian and foreign scholars, which boasts a truly unique and precious documentation on Leonardo and his time. How not to make a leap towards lamporecchio, where is the Garden of Leonardo and Utopia, of which the Ideal Museum is taking care of the realization?
Finally, a stone's throw from the village of Vinci, in the locality old man, you can easily visit the Birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci. The house that once belonged to the grandfather is set in a beautiful and very fascinating typically Tuscan hilly landscape, in which there is a permanent educational exhibition.
