The home of Leonardo isn’t actually found within the town of Vinci, but is actually located nearby in the foothills of Montalbano in a village called Anchiano in the comune of Vinci. Leonardo da Vinci was born in Anchiano on April 15, 1452 as the illegitimate child of a servant and a local landowner. The surrounding landscape, typically Tuscan, will be familiar to any fans of the master as it often appeared in his works. The house in which he grew up was reopened to the public in 2012 and is a must for anyone who adores his ouevre. Find a villa with internet in Vinci and step into the area's rich past while easily staying in touch with the present.
If you visit da Vinci's house, you'll be able to see both the home and a museum built to further elaborate on his life and work. The restoration project was headed by, Daniela Lamberini, a lecturer at the University of Architecture in Florence, and particular emphasis has been placed on the use of multimedia learning tools within the museum. Next to the ticket office is a room which explains the course of Leonardo's life through a virtual itinerary, from his entrance into Master Verrocchio’s workshop to his most important works, including The Last Supper. The paintings are screened on a wall and can be interacted with by visitors through the Leonardo Touch application by just moving your hands.
To the left of the ticket office, is the stone house he lived in. It is composed of three rooms, the most exciting being to the left, where a life-sized hologram of da Vinci welcomes and entertains the public by directly telling you his life story, sharing information about his home and the surrounding area and some scant details of his quite mysterious private life. The hologram is surprisingly lifelike, with many visitors mistaking it for an actor, and it can speak in both Italian and English.
It is, however, the distinctive surrounding landscape that makes the museum and house all the more worthy of the visit.
It is also what separates the experience from that at exhibitions on Leonardo elsewhere. It simply cannot be replicated and must be experienced for oneself. The connection between the artist and his home run deep. If you are interested in art and find yourself anywhere near Anchiano or Vinci, his birthplace is an absolute must-see!
It is, however, the distinctive surrounding landscape that makes the museum and house all the more worthy of the visit.
It is also what separates the experience from that at exhibitions on Leonardo elsewhere. It simply cannot be replicated and must be experienced for oneself. The connection between the artist and his home run deep. If you are interested in art and find yourself anywhere near Anchiano or Vinci, his birthplace is an absolute must-see!
