I wanted to see Vinci for a long time. The birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo has always fascinated me, whether as artist or as engineer. Many of the tools we are using today are the result of his insights (5 centuries ago)… It is incredible. I wanted to pay homage to this great man. I was in Florence so decided to go towards Vinci. There was time enough to visit some towns between Florence and Empoli too. The purpose was to buy a few bottles of good wine from the “Colli Fiorentini”.
Tuscany offers many routes to relax and indulge in the joys of food and good wine. Like many parts of central Italy, medieval castles and ancient villages fill this region. Many of these still inhabited by descendants of noble families. These seals are rich in valuable vineyards, which produce annually fine wine brands.
The Chianti Classico area was too far for my plans, so I decided to go to the Montespertoli area (a Chianti production area – located at west of Florence).
With a beautiful sunny day, the Florentine hills reminiscent of the landscapes in Leonardo paintings. It was a pleasure to drive on these roads. I stopped the car many times to take pictures of the different sights.
The first stop was the Castle of Poppiano . The castle is from more than eight centuries the house and property of the Counts Guicciardini. The owner are descendants of Francesco Guicciardini (b. 1483 – d 1540) an important writer, historian and politician during the Medicis period. He was responsible for the masterpiece of history: the book “Historia D’Italia”. The castle is perfectly preserved and you can visit it (with reservation). The castle is still inhabited. The Counts produce excellent wine and olive oil.
After the castle of Poppiano, I headed to Montespertoli to make a stop at the Castle of Sonnino. Even this castle is still inhabited by the Sonnino barons. And they also produce wine and olive oil. Everyone can visit the castle with organized tours which include wine tasting of their holdings.
I bought a few bottles of Chianti Reserve, took some pictures and I left with the direction Vinci.
I passed through Empoli city but did not visit it. Next time. After 10 Km I reached the town of Vinci.
The village is small and very cute. Here, there is the Leonardo Library, the International Center for Leonardo studies, and the Leonardo Museum.
The Leonardo Museum presents one of the most extensive and most original collections devoted to the multiple interests of Leonardo: the technologist, the architect, the man of science and, more generally, the History of Renaissance technics. I got in the (long) line to buy the ticket and entered in the museum.
The museum route, spread over two adjacent buildings: the Uzielli Palace and the Conti Guidi Castle, presents its machines and models accompanied by specific references to the artist’s sketches and handwritten notes. the Conti Guidi Castle is wonderful medieval fortress dating from the eleventh century.
In the castle I saw the machines and models which document Leonardo’s interest in war, architecture, mechanics and flight. Two sections devoted to optics and to movement on land and water, with particular reference to fluvial navigation. In Uzielli Palace I saw the “building-site” machinery, textile manufacturing technology and mechanical clocks.
This Muse
um is visited annually by 130,000 people. The Leonardo Museum is one of the most important museums and popular in Tuscany.
After the visit I walked down the streets of the village to take some 
shots. For lunch I ate a small sandwich in the evening I was very hungry. So I waited for the opening and I settled in an Osteria near the castle. I had a great Fiorentina steak, however, giving up the wine … I had to drive back home.
Useful Information
Nearest Airports: Florence International Airport – FLR ( 50 km far from Vinci), Pisa International Airport – PSA (60 km far from Vinci)
Low Cost Airlines operating on these Airport: Ryanair, Easyjet, Wizzair, Airberlin, Vueling, Transavia, Albastar, Volotea, Eurowings
Route Map.
