On April 15th, 1452 the great Leonardo (da Vinci means from Vinci) was born, a man who was destined to leave his mark with his talent in the history of art and scientific thought. Both genial and eclectic, he represents, centuries later, one of the highest points of intelligence that human mind has reached. Let's let ourselves be picked up by the echo of his legend and be transported to the town of his birth.

Vinci is perched on a hill on the slopes of Monte Albano where an ancient, almond-shaped castle dominates the landscape. This is the fortress of the Guidi Counts and home to the Museo Leonardiano. It has no original Leonardos but does contain models of some of the machines he invented and reproductions for his drawings. These machines include devices for movement through air, water, and on land, as well as weapons and work machines, his ancient dreams of the future that today populate our everyday life. The collection brings us the parachute, floats for walking on water, and ... the bicycle.
From here we then take a 3km drive up to the tiny hamlet of Anchiano to see Leonardo's modest birth house.

Moving further South, on the other side of the Arno, we arrive in San Miniato, whose neighbourhoods cover the crests of three hills. The system of settlement shows the urban interventions undertaken at the time of the Frederick II. In that period, in fact, the town was between the fortified strongholds of the plain, right in the path of Via Pisana and not far from Via Francigena. On Piazza del Castello you'll find the Duomo with its unusual facade, inset with ceramic North African bowls.

Going up to the highest part of town we find the Torre di Federico. This place is tied to the tragic fate of Pier delle Vigne, public notary in service of the King, accused of treason by his enemies of the Court. Imprisoned in the tower, he was then blinded with a red-hot iron, then putting an end to his torture by hitting his head on the wall of his prison cell, provoking his death. His sad fate is told by Dante in the XIII Charter of the Inferno.
After visiting the historical center, take a break in a nice restaurant to try out some of the delicacies of the local cuisine. The delicious truffle ranks very high in the local cuisine, to which an important Exposition & Market is dedicated in November. There is also the fabulous local chianina beef and vegetables, dressed with olive oil of the highest quality. It is all accompanied by Chianti and wines produced in the hills of Pisa.