2019 marks the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death. Join us in paying homage on our special tours dedicated to the Renaissance master.
Leonardo da Vinci — artist, scientist, “Universal Genius”.
Born in Vinci, some forty kilometres from the center of Florence, this Renaissance polymath was not only a Jack of all trades but a literal master of all. His areas of interest included architecture, invention, drawing, painting, sculpting, cartography, science, music, maths, engineering, literature, anatomy, botany, history, and writing.
Works such as the “Mona Lisa”, “The Last Supper”, the “Vitruvian Man”, or “The Battle of Anghiari" are among the artistic heritage that Leonardo da Vinci has left behind. Up to this day, he is considered the singular most talented person to have ever lived by historians and scholars alike.
500 years ago, on the 2nd of May 1519, Leonardo da Vinci died in Amboise, in the Loire Valley of France. While he had worked in different cities all over Italy and spent his final years in France, much of the celebration of his life and work will take place in and around Florence where he grew up and later trained under Andrea del Verrocchio.
At Slow Tour Tuscany, we will be offering special tours that are dedicated to this Renaissance master throughout the year. Here are some ways for you to join us:
Explore Florence, the place where Leonardo da Vinci trained, and marvel at da Vinci’s Art at the Uffizi Gallery.
Leonardo da Vinci trained under Andrea del Verrocchio, who was considered the leading Florentine sculptor and painter at the time, for seven years.Did you know that at one point, the three Renaissance masters — da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael — all met in Florence?
We’ll take you on a walking tour around Florence, where you’ll find out about the secrets of its historical center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and experience its most important squares, buildings, and sculptures.
Of course, when it comes to art in Florence, there are certain places that are not to be missed — the Accademia and the Uffizi Galleries are two of them. As of summer 2018, there is a new room specifically dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci at the Uffizi. Similar to the works of Michelangelo and Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings — “The Baptism of Christ", “The Annunciation”, and “The Adoration of the Magi” — are preserved in special climate-controlled cases that allow visitors to get extremely close to the paintings.
Join our walking tour through Florence and the Uffizi Gallery, here.
If you’re an early bird looking to marvel at da Vinci’s works before the masses flood the museum, we’ll take you on an Early Morning tour in a tranquil and intimate atmosphere. For priority access, book here our “Skip the Line” tickets to the Uffizi Gallery.
Explore Leonardo’s Hills by Bike
Located in another valley, some forty kilometres west of Florence and in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, lies Vinci, the birthplace and namesake of Leonardo da Vinci.
To start your downhill biking adventure we’ll take you to Carmignano in one of our luxurious vans. All the way down to Vinci, you’ll be riding among olive groves. When the wind comes from the right direction, you’ll even feel the breeze of the sea!
Once in the town center of Vinci, we’ll visit the house where Leonardo da Vinci was born in. The idea to open a museum fully dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci dates back to the celebration of the 400th anniversary of his death in 1919. The museum, which exhibits originals as well as an HD reproduction of all paintings and some drawings, was opened in 1953.
Take a look at your downhill adventure to Vinci in this video.