The buildings

the museum's plan

M - Monumental Building

The Museum's main building was built in the early 16th century as a monastery to house the monks of the Olivetan order. The building became the site for the Museum in 1947. It now houses a Gallery dedicated to the genius of Leonardo da Vinci, as well as most of the collections and the i.labs.

mermaid figurehead on the Ebe schooner’s large bow

A - Air and Sea Transport Pavilion

This building was opened in 1973 and houses two truly vast objects: the brigantine Ebe and the bridge of the transatlantic liner "Conte Biancamano". The air transport section is on the upper level. It illustrates the history of air transport from the pioneering era right through to jet planes. Numerous models, instrumentation and devices are on display including propellers, landing gears and aeroplane engines. The area also contains the first steam-powered helicopter, built by E. Forlanini in 1877, and the first helicopter designed by Italian industry, the Agusta A109.

F - Rail Transport Pavilion

This building was set up in 1967 but its façade recalls the old railway stations of the turn of the century. Inside are around twenty locomotives and train carriages, alongside instruments used to conduct traffic along tracks. Along the inner perimeter of the pavilion are also various objects used for designing and building the railway network.

E - External areas

Outside, next to the Rail Transport Pavilion, are two areas of around 3000 m², where you can relax in leafy green surroundings. The Enrico Toti submarine is located to the left of the Rail Transport Pavilion.

the bridge of the transatlantic liner Conte Biancamano A view of the Air and Sea Transport pavilion

it hosts a fascinating collection of ancient musical instruments The Emma Vecla hall

the Enrico Toti submarine is located to the left of the Rail Transport Pavilion The Enrico Toti submarine