Castello dei Conti Guidi, Medieval castle in Vinci, Italy.
The Castello dei Conti Guidi is a castle at the heart of Vinci, built with an elongated plan and a tower whose profile resembles a ship's bow. The structure rises across multiple floors containing exhibition rooms that lead to a viewing terrace overlooking the Montalbano hills and Apuan Alps.
The castle was built in the 12th century and served as the seat of various noble families for centuries. It returned to municipal ownership in 1919, marking its transition from a private residence to a public cultural space.
The castle has housed the Museo Leonardiano since 1953, where visitors encounter models and studies that reveal how Leonardo approached science and invention. The collection reflects the way this artist and thinker observed the world around him with curiosity and ingenuity.
The visit includes multiple exhibition rooms spread across different floors, culminating at the viewing terrace. Comfortable walking shoes are advisable since you will need to climb stairs to explore the spaces and reach the panoramic views.
The castle displays ceramic statues reconstructed from Leonardo's anatomical drawings, creating an unusual bridge between his scientific research and visual art. These objects allow visitors to see three-dimensional interpretations of his anatomical studies that rarely appear elsewhere.
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