Leonardo Da Vinci couldn’t be considered as a doc Milanese. It is for this reason that when one thinks of Leonardo, his name is often associated with the city of Florence. During his relatively short life, he lived only 67 years, but he spent more time in Milan than in any other place.
In fact he lived here more than twenty years with some short interruptions. The longest period was in 1482 in the service of Ludovico il Moro family, until their fall in 1499 and after that in 1506 remaining only for two years. In 1508 to 1513 he left Milan, moving at the court of Louis XII of France.
Today I consider this genius of the Renaissance as one of the most prominent names in history of Milan. It’s hard to count up all places, squares, streets in Milan and nearby Milan’s neighborhood where you’ll find his name.
Here are several places in Milan city, closely connected with his great name, mostly of them, a ‘must be visited’ by every tourist visiting Milan.
Five Places On The Trail Of Leonardo Da Vinci
I know that whenever we talk about him, the first thing that appears in front of out eyes, is that mysterious smile of Mona Lisa. If he had only painted this masterpiece, it would be enough to consider him the greatest genius.
Who was Leonardo? This all-around personality was a painter, an architect, a sculptor, musician, engineer, scientist and inventor. Perhaps I’ve missed something but it’s enough to consider him, one of the greatest geniuses of humanity. Read Wikipedia Leonardo’s biography to know more!
If you’re Leonardo’s enthusiast, let me take to several places in Milan that will prove the majority of his geniality.
Last Supper
Our itinerary could only start from here. Among Leonardo Da Vinci’s most famous works, Last Supper is only work comparable with Mona Lisa. Exposed in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, it was painted between 1495 and 1498 at the request of Ludovico il Moro.
Skip-the-line Duomo Tour with Rooftop Access – From 26 € Duration: 90 minutes (approx.)
Immerse yourself in the architecture and history of Milan‘s Duomo and Terraces during this 1.5-hour experience.
Skip-the-Line The Last Supper Ticket and Mini Guide Book – From 32,23 € Duration: 15 minutes (approx.) Visit one of the greatest masterpieces in the history of art, Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper.
Vineyard of Leonardo
I suppose, Leonardo was a good wine connoisseur. Just in front of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie there is another place that certify his presence in Milan. His vineyard. It’s located inside the Casa degli Atellani at number 65 of Corso Magenta street.
This vineyard was given as a sign of gratitude to Leonardo by Ludovico il Moro. After having recovered the gene of the original vine, the Casa degli Atellani was reopened to the public and the vineyard of Leonardo replanted.
Leonardo’s horse
Another evident proof of Leonardo’s sculptor ability and perfect knowledge of human and animal autonomy.In 1482 Ludovico il Moro asked Leonardo to build the largest equestrian statue in the world in honor of his father Francesco Sforza.
Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
It’s a gallery and library located in Milan, Piazza Pio XI, 2. The art gallery was established in 1618 by Cardinal Federigo Borromeo, one of the most influential art patrons. Gallery keeps some paintings of some of the greatest masterpieces of all times.
Among works of Tiziano, Botticelli, Caravaggio, Raffaello, Salaino and Vespino, you can admire Leonardo Da Vinci – the Portrait of a Musician. This portrait if you give a closer look, demonstrates Leonardo’s studies of anatomy visible in the depiction of the subject’s face, with bone structure of musician strong face.
An annexed library which makes the part of Pinacoteca Amrosiana keeps the huge collection known as Atlantic Code, a collection of autograph manuscripts of Leonardo.
The Code consists of 1119 sheets divided into 12 volumes without a precise order, which cover the most disparate topics: sketches, preparatory drawings, mathematical calculations, architectural projects, studies of anatomy, astronomy, botany, chemistry, geography. Simply, not to believe what this man was capable of doing.
Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology
This museum located in Via San Vittore, 21, holds 1750 drawings on technical and scientific subjects of this great men from flying machines, experimental bicycles and many other surprising inventions. An ideal for families with children visiting Milan.
The Navigli: the water canals of Milan
Today the canals are a Milan landmark, a place of both nostalgia and innovation, an artsy quarter and a hopping nightlife scene. Even Leonardo was deeply involved in Milan canal system. Canals were one of Leonardo’s great passions where he spent a lot of time understanding the movement of water and the rules of hydraulic system.
On the resistance of the canal banks he noted: ‘No canal that flows out of rivers will last if the water of the river from which it arises is not completely enclosed, as in the Martesana Canal and the one that flows out of the Ticino (the Naviglio Grande)’