Exploring the creations of a conquering genius at the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Rome
Reading Time: 5 minutes In the heart of the Eternal City, in Piazza del Popolo, lies a Surprise Spot that can easily go unnoticed amidst the chaos of Rome: the Leonardo da Vinci Museum (Museo Leonardo da Vinci).
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What Makes the Leonardo da Vinci Museum Special?
Almost everyone has heard of the High Renaissance genius, Leonardo da Vinci. The Mona Lisa is one of the most famous portraits ever produced. But Leonardo wasn’t just a great artist. He was the epitome of the Renaissance man, applying his talents to an incredible vast number of endeavours. He was indeed also a sculptor, architect, engineer, theorist and scientist.
Many of the inventions he conceived – some of which never left the paper they were drawn on – are not only impressive in their number. But also fascinating in how they foreshadow modern machines and solutions to everyday needs we now take for granted.
The Leonardo da Vinci Museum brings back to life these inventions by reconstructing them, using the same materials that would have been available in the inventor’s time.
What to Expect
I visited the museum some years ago, in one of my many trips to the Italian capital. It wasn’t an intentional destination. I was wandering the area after exploring the nearby Villa Borghese gardens when, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a girl clapping her hands and jumping around, happy and excited. She had just stepped out of a narrow entrance marked Museo Leonardo da Vinci.
Curiosity got the better of me and despite the ache in my feet after a day of endless walking, I decided to see what it was all about.
And I’m glad I did.
The museum is divided into several sections, filled with reconstructions of Leonardo’s inventions. Some of the exhibits are quite familiar – like the circular tank – while others took me by surprise. A standout was what can easily be called a precursor to the modern scuba suit. Truth be said, it did look a bit macabre. But once you get past the first impression, you can’t help but be delighted. These are the first steps of Man trying to conquer an element jealous of its depths.
And, indeed, this is how I’d define Leonardo’s life work. Whether it was the sea, the air or an enemy approaching at the gates, he was a conquering spirit. Conquest underlined most of the things he did. Even when it comes to art, by experimenting with new techniques, he pushed himself into uncharted territory. It was an old practice to put the words Hic sunt dracones (Here be dragons) on maps to indicate unknown lands. Leonardo da Vinci wasn’t afraid of those dragons. Instead he pushed past them, conquered new lands, these lands being the ones of the intellect.
The Mirror Chamber
When I was little, my mom used to take me to a restaurant – though its name now escapes me – located in Malta’s capital, Valletta. I would order some local pastizzi and devour them in a rush and then ask my mom whether I could leave the table. She would usually nod yes. I would then proceed to spend the next 15 minutes or so looking at the mirrors which covered all of the walls. I used to observe my own image reflected endlessly like a visual echo, wondering: is this how eternity looks like?
Years later, at the museum, I was surprised to relieve the same experience once again.
One of my favourite exhibits is a mirror chamber Leonardo build to study optics. It’s an immersive reconstruction, which lets you walk inside it, close the door and then experience your own image reflected many times over. It elicits a strange yet fascinating feeling, as though you’re close to unravelling a mystery about existence itself, eluding the rational mind.
Who Is It For?
It’s hard to emerge from a visit at the Leonardo da Vinci Museum feeling bored. After my visit, I fully understood the excitement of the girl who had caught my attention earlier. The exhibits are compelling and often surprising. And seeing drawings you’ve only encountered in books or online take tangible form is unexpectedly satisfying.
Whether you’re a solo traveler with a passion for history, exploring with a partner or visiting as a family, the museum has plenty to offer to everybody.
So next time you find yourself strolling by in Piazza del Popolo, why not try this Surprise Spot?
