Milan's Leonardo Da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology ('Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci') is housed in a 16th-century monastery, and features a collection of more than 16,000 items – including models based on da Vinci's engineering sketches. It's a fascinating place to delve into the mind of whiz-genius overachiever da Vinci, and learn about cutting-edge tech.
Leonardo da Vinci was a true Renaissance man (and not just because he was alive during the Italian Renaissance).
His interests ranged from the study of nature and anatomy to military and hydraulic engineering. Not only a renowned painter, he's often credited with inventing the parachute, helicopter, and tank. His observations and ideas can be seen in the thousands of drawings made throughout his life and career as a painter and engineer.
Milan's Leonardo Da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology is a fitting tribute: it's huge, and filled with experiments on subjects from energy to communication. Its scope seems to reflect the great man's restless mind.
There are seven different departments, each of which studies and researches the fields of their collection, as well as creating exhibitions and educational activities. Discover engineering treasures, including steam trains, early flying machines, and a whole fleet of iconic naval ships, like the brigantine schooner, Ebe, and the Conte Biancamano Ocean Liner.
There's even a space area that boasts an actual chunk of moon rock and the Vega space launcher. Make sure to check out the Fragility and Beauty exhibit to discover some of the most remote and beautiful areas on Earth through stunning satellite imagery.
Kids, in particular, love the engaging interactivity, but really the whole family will find the time flying by, the way da Vinci hoped his 'ornithopter' would.
Come curious and leave engaged and informed (and even more curious). A hot tip: the museum is so engaging that you can easily spend a whole day here. There's no café, but if you pack lunch and/or snacks you can avoid eating lunch out of a vending machine, and watch your child's eyes grow wide with wonder all day long.
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