Milan has always been a cultural center frequented by many intellectuals, artists and big names who have made history. One of these is the famous Leonardo da Vinci, who lived in Milan for several years. Absolute genius and multifaceted artist, painter, sculptor, engineer, inventor, scientist, visionary. In short, Leonardo was one of the few names in the world who left his mark. Even today his works are still numerous and studied and admired by the whole world.
In Milan, a city that has attractions envied by the world, a cultural hub par excellence, the city of fashion, design, trends, there are several places where you can learn more about Leonardo’s legacy.
Let’s discover those museums, those somewhat hidden places where we can admire the greatness of this character, Italian pride.
Table Of Contents
- Cenacolo
- Museum of Science and Technology
- Leonardo da Vinci's Vineyard
- Leonardo's Wisteria
- Leonardo3 Museum in Piazza Scala
- Leonardo's statue in Piazza Scala
- Sala delle Asse Castello Sforzesco
- Leonardo's bronze horse
- Atlantic Codex at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
- Codex Trivulzianus 2162 at the Castello Sforzesco
Cenacolo
Impossible not to go and see Leonardo’s famous painting, “The Last Supper.” Commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, it decorates the refectory of the Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. A spectacular place not only for the painting but for the beauty of the religious complex itself. Santa Maria delle Grazie was declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1980. The fresco is 8.80 meters by 4.60 meters in size. It towers over you as you enter. You will be breathless. If you decide to arrange a visit take a look at the availability on the official website.
Where: Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 2, 20123 Milan – MM Cadorna or Conciliazione
Museum of Science and Technology
Another mandatory stop to discover the story of Leonardo da Vinci in Milan is the Museum of Science and Technology. The facility features a section entirely dedicated to the artist, the Leonardo da Vinci Gallery precisely. Over 1,300 square meters and 170 historical models, works of art, ancient volumes and installations. A journey that traces the history and formation of the Tuscan genius.
The museum is well worth a visit. In addition to Leonardo’s heritage, the museum holds beauties to be discovered. Find out more on the official website.
Where: Via San Vittore 21, Milan – MM Sant’Ambrogio
Leonardo da Vinci’s Vineyard
Inside Casa Atellani, the residence of Ludovico Sforza, is a vineyard that the Duke gave to Leonardo while he was intent on painting The Last Supper. It is a place in the center of Milan where Nature and humans converse in harmony. It is a bucolic corner where time seems to stand still were it not for the lush vegetation that is constantly changing colors. Today both Casa Atellani and the Vineyard can be visited, click here for more information on how to book your trip.
Where: Corso Magenta, 65, 20123 Milan – MM Cadorna or Conciliazione
Leonardo’s Wisteria
We are located in the Ripamonti area. Leonardo’s Wisteria is one of the oldest in Italy. It is estimated to be more than 715 years old. This beautiful flowering wisteria really liked Leonardo da Vinci where he loved to spend some of his time here meditating and finding inspiration. It is said that once upon a time, when the wisteria was growing in the open countryside away from the city walls, Leonardo da Vinci (who worked permanently in Milan) loved to sit in the shade of this large plant to take in the coolness and meditate.
Whether truth or legend, it is still a plant of rare beauty.
Where: via Bernardino Verro, 2, Milan – MM Lodi Tibb
Leonardo3 Museum in Piazza Scala
Another must-see place is the Museum all dedicated to the great inventor. A unique exhibition that allows you to discover the real Leonardo da Vinci artist and scientist, thanks to never-before-seen reconstructions of his machines and restorations of his most famous paintings. A 360-degree immersion into Leonardo’s world.
Where: Piazza della Scala, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele entrance – MM Duomo – MM Montenapoleone. Hours and tickets available on the official website.
Leonardo’s statue in Piazza Scala
If you want to admire a tribute to the great artist, you can drop by Piazza Scala. Here you will find towering a statue of Leonardo himself. A memorial dedicated to the great Tuscan figure. The monument was created by sculptor Pietro Magni and unveiled in 1872 . Next to it, below him, appear 4 other marble figures in pedestals representing four of Leonardo’s pupils: Giovanni Antonio Boltraffio, Marco d’Oggiono, Cesare da Sesto, and Gian Giacomo Caprotti. Renaissance painters.
Where: Piazza della Scala, 20121 Milan – MM Duomo – MM Montenapoleone
Sala delle Asse Castello Sforzesco
Named for the wooden plank cladding that once covered the walls, the Sala delle Asse is a room located in Milan’s Castello Sforzesco. Ludovico il Moro commissioned Leonardo to paint the famous fresco he occupies the ceiling and walls: the room houses a decoration with intertwining plants and mulberry trees, which with a very truthful effect recreate a pergola along the entire vault, and the walls thus giving the idea of a graceful outdoor veranda. Exceptional work of art that testifies to this man’s stay in the city of Milan. The room is currently closed to the public for restoration work. But the Castello Sforzesco hides other wonders. Plan your visit.
Where: Castello Sforzesco – Piazza Castello – MM Cairoli – MM Cadorna
Leonardo’s bronze horse
Another stop to admire Leonardo da Vinci’s traces in Miklano is the bronze horse in the San Siro area. The story goes that Ludovico il Moro commissioned the artist to make this large bronze horse in honor of his father Francesco. The project needed 10 tons of bronze, but due to an outbreak of war between France and the Duchy of Este, the bronze was destined for the construction of cannons for the defense of Milan.
Centuries passed, Leonardo could not finish the work in time, and the project foundered. But it is the wealthy collector Charles Dent who discovers the story of Leonardo’s horse and decides to finish what he started. He creates a foundation in honor of Leonardo’s horse and in 15 years raises 2.5 million euros to create the sculpture. The project was entrusted to sculptor Nina Akamu, who was inspired by the Tuscan artist’s sketches.
Once made, the horse was donated to Milan in 1999 and now stands near the city’s hippodrome.
Where: Piazzale dello Sport, 6, 20151 Milan – MM San Siro
Atlantic Codex at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
Another very important testimony is Leonardo’s Codex Atlantic us preserved at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. It is the largest collection of Leonardo’s sketches, drawings and plans. More than 1,700 drafts and studies make up the Codex Atlanticus, in no particular order. They deal with anatomy, astronomy, botany, etc.. Called “Atlanticus” because the format of the sheets used by the scientist was typical of geographical atlases of the time. Arrange a visit.
Where: Piazza Pio XI, 2, 20123 Milan – MM Cordusio – MM Duomo
Codex Trivulzianus 2162 at the Castello Sforzesco
Another stop to rediscover Leonardo da Vinci in Milan is again at the Castle. Here, at the Trivulziana Library inside the Cortile della Rocchetta, is Leonardo’s famous Codex Trivulzianus 2162. It is none other than his notebook where Leonardo in the late 1500s made drafts, sketches of projects he was working on, physiognomic, architectural, mechanical and war studies.
The Library can be accessed by appointment only by writing to c.ascbibliotrivulziana@comune.milano.it.
Where: Castello Sforzesco – Piazza Castello, Milan – MM Cairoli – MM Cadorna