Town walls

View of Vinci

Vinci is a town and comune of Firenze province in the Italian region of Tuscany. The birthplace of Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci lies just outside the town.

Geography

The town is surrounded by the Tuscan Hills. The landscape consists of vineyards and olive groves that are much the same as in Leonardo's time.

History

Vinci was founded around the year 1250. The Castle of Vinci was built by Conti Guidi, and the original nucleus of the castle is a tower. In the second half of XII century, Vinci passed under the jurisdiction of Florence, and the Guidi's family sold the castle only to repurchase it in 1260. After 10 years, Guidi's family sold the castle to Florence for good.

Leonardo

Leonardo da Vinci was born on 15 April 1452, in a farmhouse about from the town, between Anchiano and Faltognano. His full name was "Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci", which means "Leonardo, son of Piero, from Vinci". Half a million visitors a year come to visit the Museum of Leonardo and his birthplace.

Main Sights

Museo Leonardiano-museum on Leonardo da Vinci. This museum has displays of some of the inventions that are drawn in da Vinci's notebooks.

Casa di Leonardo-This is the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci. It is a farmhouse. The Casa di Leonardo is not overwhelming and there are some reproductions of Leonardo da Vinci's drwaings at the house.

Sister city

Vinci has an official sister city as designated by Sister Cities International:

• Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States.

External links

• Description of Anchiano

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