From Leonardo da Vinci to nuclear research, this museum explores the history and present of European science and engineering with engaging exhibits on varied topics.
For many decades the site of both fashion and innovation, Milan demonstrates its expertise at the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology, an extensive and informative collection housed in a former monastery. Founded in 1953 and covering about 500,000 square feet (50,000 square meters), the museum is one of the largest in Europe. Spend several hours within its walls, roaming from exhibit to exhibit and learning about engineering, physics and more.
Begin in the exhibit dedicated to the museum’s namesake, Leonardo da Vinci. Walk slowly down one side of the long corridor, examining the scale models of his inventions from the machine gun to the aerial screw, a predecessor of the helicopter.
Walk back on the opposite side while examining his anatomy sketches, which demonstrated to the world the appearance of the inside of a body. Take pictures beside a real submarine or tour an antique train station, complete with trains, that now sits in the museum. Practice your Italian by reading the information cards in some of the smaller exhibits.
Travel outside this world in the space exhibit, which displays telescopes of every size and shape, photos of Mars, exhibits on the space race and more. Here, see Italy’s only piece of moon rock, which was collected in the Taurus-Littrow valley during the final Apollo mission and donated by President Nixon.
Investigate small things in the exhibit, EXTREME, co-presented by the museum and CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Learn about nuclear research and the scientists who perform it. Play around with the new interactive exhibits that shed light on the building blocks of the universe.
Find the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology directly east of Milan’s city center, a 15-minute subway ride from the Duomo Milano. Reach it in 15 minutes by train from Milan’s central train station. Metered parking is available in a nearby structure. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday during regular business hours and stays open slightly later on Saturdays. There is a fee for admission, with varying discounts.
