In Vigevano, you can follow an itinerary exploring traces of the Renaissance genius, starting from the Castello Sforzesco with the Leonardiana museum, then heading outside the city to visit the Museo di Mora Bassa.
Back in the days when Vigevano was a small village, the lavish court of Ludovico Il Moro and Beatrice d’Este was home to Leonardo da Vinci, who connected with artists that shaped the city’s history, likely influencing their ideas and lending his expertise to ongoing projects.
It was particularly during the rule of Ludovico il Moro that the city was embellished and expanded, including the construction of the Castello Stables to house thoroughbred horses belonging to distinguished guests invited on hunting expeditions. Some scholars believe this first stable inspired the model stable drawn by Leonardo da Vinci in the Paris Manuscript B.
Other additions include the “Loggia delle Dame,” the “Falconiera,” and the Tower inspired by Donato Bramante’s architecture. Around the same time, Piazza Ducale was built as a monumental entrance to the castle, with stories suggesting that Leonardo reviewed the plans drawn up by court engineer Ambrogio da Corte and contributed to the project.
As further evidence of Leonardo’s impact on Vigevano, in 2016 the Leonardiana was inaugurated—a permanent exhibition within the Castello Sforzesco rooms. This unique place lets visitors admire the full, diverse works of one of history’s greatest minds.
The museum offers a fascinating itinerary through the life and works of Leonardo, who stayed in Vigevano as superintendent of waterworks under Ludovico il Moro, but also as a court member appreciated by Ludovico and Beatrice for his artistic brilliance, social flair, and scientific and mathematical genius.
The museum displays all the works Leonardo conceived and realized throughout his life: drawings now kept in dozens of museums and libraries worldwide, notebooks packed with his thoughts and ingenious ideas, and the codices assembled by friends and heirs after his death, now preserved in some of the world’s greatest institutions.
The exhibition concludes with the “Impossible Gallery,” which features reproductions of all 26 paintings currently attributed to Leonardo, displayed in real scale with advanced high-resolution techniques. This immersive setup lets visitors experience the entirety of his work and get a close and detailed look at his artistic language.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Ticket price: €10.00 full – €8.50 reduced
Leonardo’s presence in Vigevano is also witnessed at the Mulino di Mora Bassa, a 15th-century mill with two large water wheels. The building, restored and turned into a museum in 2000 with support from Regione Lombardia and the City of Vigevano, was originally commissioned by Ludovico il Moro. The mill features architectural elements reflecting Leonardo da Vinci’s extraordinary abilities and knowledge during his years at the Sforza court. Today, the museum showcases devices designed by Leonardo in his sketches and notes, recreated by a local craftsman who demonstrates the inventor’s revolutionary concepts to visitors.
Opening hours: Saturday 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm – Sunday 10:30 am – 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Free admission
