Visiting Leonardo3 Museum: The World of Leonardo da Vinci!

Visiting Milan, Italy? Then stop by the Leonardo3 Museum located just inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. You will learn about the inventions and artwork of Leonardo da Vinci himself! The Leonardo3 Museum is an immersive recreation museum, where you get to interact with models and games.

Explore Leonardo da Vinci’s wide range of inventions, art, and creations. From crafting weaponry for the French army to innovating musical instruments, his work goes beyond East Europe.

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What To Know Before You Go

How Much Does the Leonardo3 Cost?

• $15 per adult, $10 for kids, and $1 for infants.
• Audio guides for $4 are available in English and Italian.

What are the hours of Leonardo3?

• 9:30 AM-8:00 PM on weekdays
• 9:30 AM-9:00 PM on weekends & holidays

Where can you buy tickets to Leonardo3?

• You can buy them online here or at the entrance.
• Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, 11, 20121 Milano MI, Italy

Here’s What You’ll See At Leonardo3 Museum:

Weapon Designs

Leonardo da Vinci, the renowned Italian artist, scientist, and inventor of the Renaissance period, conceptualized and designed several fascinating weapons throughout his lifetime. Although many of his inventions were never constructed during his time, they offer valuable insights into his creative and innovative mind. Here are a few notable weapons that you can see on display at Leonardo3 Museum.

Giant Crossbow (Ballista): A giant crossbow, or ballista, with a powerful system of pulleys and cranks to enhance force and range for launching large projectiles.

Armored Vehicle (Tank): A cylindrical armored vehicle for battlefield maneuvering. This precursor to the modern tank featured cannons, gun ports on all sides, and a gear-wheel mobility system.

Robot Soldier: A humanoid robot designed to perform tasks like a soldier showcased his innovative approach to automata and robotics.

Also see: Milan Bucket List: 25+ Ultimate Things To Do

Flight Designs

The artist had a fascination with flight but never successfully built an aircraft. His intricate sketches reveal a deep grasp of aerodynamics. His ornithopter design emulated bird flight, utilizing pulleys to generate lift through wing flapping.

Also, he conceptualized an “aerial screw” for vertical flight, which later inspired the development of helicopters. Da Vinci then delved into gliding flight through diverse designs that emphasized weight distribution and stability.

Also see: The Ultimate 3 Days In Milan And Lake Como Itinerary

Interactive Displays

The exhibition had a number of interactions but my favorite was the Mona Lisa. Here you can see the difference in how the painting has faced over the last 500 years. The colors used were very vivid with fine details lost today. The background is now dim with gray mountains and with the restoration you can clearly see the valleys, mountains, hills, a river, and a bridge.

Another interaction I loved seeing was the breakdown of the Vitruvian man and how his body was a conception of ideal body proportions, which were later a standard used for drawing and sculptures. It shows how the body is 8 heads high, a palm is four fingers long, a foot is four palms, a cubit is six palms, four cubits make a man, a pace is four cubits, and a man is 24 palms. (well, that’s a lot)

Also see: These Are The Best Places To Shop In Milan For Fashionistas!

Music Designs

While Leonardo da Vinci is primarily celebrated for his achievements in the realms of art, science, and engineering, he also had an interest in music and made contributions to the field of instrument design.

One of Leonardo’s most famous musical instrument designs is the Viola Organista, also known as the “Wheel Lyre.” It was a keyboard instrument that combined elements of a violin and an organ. The player would press keys on a keyboard, causing rotating wheels with horsehair strings to vibrate, producing sounds reminiscent of a string ensemble.

Also see: Visiting Duomo di Milano? Here’s What You Need To Know!

The Sforza Horse

The Sforza Horse was intended to be a bronze equestrian monument dedicated to Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. Leonardo da Vinci was commissioned by the Duke in 1482 to create the sculpture.

Leonardo worked on the project for about 17 years, but due to various challenges, including the scarcity of bronze during times of war, the project was never completed during his lifetime. Despite this, Leonardo made significant progress, creating detailed clay models and sketches for the sculpture.

Also see: These Are The Best Places To Stay In Milan Italy!

The Last Supper Recreation

The final room in the Leonardo3 museum is a recreation of the Last Supper painting, made to scale and in full vivid colors, showing how it would have looked on day one of completion. The original painting was created between 1495 and 1498 and is located in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. 

The painting by Leonardo has suffered significant deterioration over the centuries, losing colors, details, and intricate features due to factors like humidity and improper restoration. Damage includes cracks, flaking, and paint loss, affecting elements like facial expressions and delicate brushwork.

Also see: How To Finally See Leonardo’s Last Supper In Milan!

Where To Stay In Milan!

Best Modern Hostel: Located in Milan’s lively center, this hostel offers affordable, stylish accommodation. With stylish rooms, free WiFi, communal lounges, and 24/7 front desk service, it’s a cost-effective option for experiencing Milan’s vibrant culture and nightlife.

Best Hotel with View: Located next to Milan’s Duomo, this hotel offers Milanese sophistication with its designer rooms, exclusive experiences, gourmet dining, and top-notch wellness facilities. It provides a luxurious and intimate stay for travelers seeking an unforgettable Milan adventure.

Best Family Vacation Home: Experience luxury in Milan’s center near the iconic Duomo. These exquisite apartments offer privacy with high-end hotel services, perfect for families or groups. Ideal for indulging in Milan’s fashion, art, and cuisine with the comfort of home in a prime location.

Final Thoughts-

A visit to the Leonardo3 Museum is incomplete without experiencing the remarkable recreation of the Last Supper. I had fun visiting when they first opened, and I know you will too. What’s your favorite work from Da Vinci? Let me know in the comments below.

Happy exploring!

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