The inventions of the “universal genius” of the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci, were so ahead of their time that the vast majority of them were never recognized until the 20th century. Drawings of amazing devices fill his diaries, which have to be read with the help of a mirror – this is how the master encrypted information, considering it too dangerous. Enthusiasts recreate mechanisms according to his drawings and exhibit them in special museums. One of them is located in Florence on a quiet old street, three minutes walk from the Accademia Gallery.
What to see
There are 40 mechanisms on display in the main hall, videos on the adjacent screens show them in action. A rowboat, a multi-barreled artillery gun, a bicycle, a car, a tank, a submarine, a helicopter, a parachute, and a programmable drum were destined for the army of Cesare Borgia, where Leonardo served as an engineer. Only the wheel lock for the pistol was introduced into life, which was used until the 19th century.
Da Vinci was particularly interested in levitation and tried several times to build an ornithopter, a hand-operated flight vehicle. The model kept in the museum is very reminiscent of huge bat wings.
The artist and sculptor Leonardo wanted to understand the mechanics of the human body, reproductions of his drawings are exhibited in the Anatomical Hall. Animated images show the interaction of various muscles, bones and tendons. The iconic Vitruvian Man, assembled from LED strips, sets the ideal proportions for human painters.
Copies of the great canvases can be seen in the Hall of Mirrors, another invention of the brilliant Italian. A person who has got here finds himself in a crowd of his own reflections face to face with La Gioconda or Saint Jerome.
In the Da Vinci Laboratory, children and adults are exploring the laws of physics, trying to understand still unsolved drawings and build on them another masterpiece of technical thought. The lesson is incredibly interesting and rewarding.
Address: Florence, Via dei Servi, 66 / 68R.
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