The Museum

Founded in 1953, we are now the largest science and technology museum in Italy.

The Museum is housed in an early 16th century Olivetan monastery and is named after Leonardo da Vinci, the extraordinary Renaissance intellect who mastered art, science and technology. Through the years we have collected and exhibited objects, machinery and evidence that retrace the key phases of our country’s scientific and technological evolution.
The educational activities developed in our collections and interactive labs (i.labs) engage visitors in exciting experiences that lead to the discovery and exploration of science. Our aim is to help people develop an interest in technology, share a passion for science and discover the fascinating nature of the past. We are a centre for debate and research, a lively meeting place and an active laboratory where innovative cultural projects and management methodologies are constantly investigated.

The Museum for all

In the Museum you can

discover one of the most important collections of machine models based on Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings and touch some of his most curious inventions

activities in the i.lab Beyond the oceans

experiment in one of the 15 interactive labs, participate in a theatre animation activity or visit a temporary exhibition

explore our collections on transport, materials, energy, communication, on the contamination between art and science and on the new frontiers of science and technology

discover the new areas dedicated to the lifecycle of products, helicopters and the history of radio broadcasting

meet evidence of our country’s industrial transformation such as the Falck laminator and the power station Regina Margherita, or admire the training ship Ebe and the bridge of the transatlantic Conte Biancamano

get on board the Enrico Toti submarine and experience the thrill of a sailor’s life

take part in conferences, workshops and science events to discuss contemporary issues

admire the two cloisters with their gardens and, for special events, the Sala del Cenacolo with frescoes by Pietro Gilardi, and the Sala delle Colonne, which was formerly the monastery’s library.