'But this town is even more renowned for having given its name to the famous Leonardo da Vinci, who, in any discipline of science and art he dedicated himself to, surpassed all his contemporaries.' (Emanuele Repetti, Choreographic Dictionary, 1845).
The name Vinci comes from the term 'vinco' indicating the withes used to tie grapevines, turning red in Autumn.
This beautiful Tuscan town set on the hills of Montalbano dates back to Roman times when it was inhabited by the Etruscans and later became a Roman 'Castrum'.
  
Dominating the town is the 'Castello' erected in the Middle Ages, around the year 1000 and ruled by the Conti Guidi, when they decided to build their own house. Their ownership of the castle was confirmed in 1164 by Frederick Barbarossa, Redbeard, and in 1220 by Frederick II of Swabia. Between 1254 and 1273 Vinci fell under the rule of Florence, when all the branches of the powerful family decided to transfer to Florence all the properties they had in the 'Lower Valdarno', thus becoming a borough, 'Comune'.
Located on the Western border of the state of Florence, Vinci was contended by Florence's enemies and was involved in the events surrounding the Guelph and the Ghibelline factions, which plagued life in the capital. In 1315 the people of Vinci revolted against Florentine dominance. Beneath Vinci's walls fought the armies of Uguccione della Faggiuola, victor against Florence and Montecatini. When the fights for the dominion over the territory were finished, Vinci, with its rich fortress, remained tightly in the hands of Florence, becoming the office of the 'podestà' and following Florence's destiny till the unity of Italy.
The Castle of Vinci, with its massive structure, towers above the town. Its original design was changed by its owners throughout the centuries, until 1919, when Count Giulio Masetti da Bagnano returned it to Vinci's municipality.

The Castle, known as the 'ship's castle' for its shape recalling a sailing boat, still maintains unaltered coats of arms, frescoes and works of art, such as the beautiful ceramic called 'Madonna and Child' by Giovanni della Robbia. Today the Castello is home to the 'Leonardo Museum' housing one of the largest collections of original size reproductions of machines and models designed and constructed by the genius, Leonardo.
In the piazza opposite from the 'Castello' is a large wooden sculpture 'L'Uomo di Vinci' 'Man from Vinci' designed by Mario Ceroli, who was inspired by Leonardo's study of 'Homo Vitruvianus'.
Of particular interest, not far from the Castle, is Santa Croce Parish Church, which has been restored several times: the interior and the façade date back to 1929, the bell tower to 1852, the baptistery to 1952. Attention should be paid to the baptismal font, where, according to the tradition, Leonardo was baptized.
Vinci's Library, 'Biblioteca Leonardiana', founded at the end of the XIX century, but officially established in 1928, houses the largest reference library on Leonardo and has virtually all his manuscripts, monologues and drawings in reproduction form.
It is also a unique center specializing in researching on Leonardo and recording all documentation written on the genius. Since 1961 the Library has organized the 'Letture Vinciane' (Vincian Lectures), where the most important scholars explore the themes of Leonardo's philosophy. Leonardo da Vinci's 'Ideal Museum', founded in 1993, takes its place among other institutions in the area and is dedicated to Leonardo's ingenious personality, eclectic activity and territory.
The Museum, formed by three rooms, displays over 400 works; some of the most remarkable are: a painting by Leonardo's studio of the beginning of the XVI century, some engravings from the XVI though the XIX century, the copy of a bas-relief (Cosimo dei Medici chasing the city of Pisa's 'vices') by Leonardo's nephew, Pierino da Vinci. It also houses the original 'door of the da Vinci'.
The Museum with its fascinating models of Leonardo's inventions help to really understand how the mind of this genius really worked.

Amid the olive groves, surrounded by a beautiful terraced landscape, above the town of Vinci lies 'Anchiano', where the 'Casa Natale di Leonardo' can be found.
This unspoiled old farmhouse was the birthplace of Leonardo, today it is open to the public exhibiting reproductions drawings and maps by Leonardo of the surrounding areas. In 1952 the rustic house where Leonardo was born, was opened to the public as a museum.
Vinci is a town entirely dedicated to a man who has been defined as the greatest genius of all times.

To honor Leonardo's memory, during the celebration of the V centenary of his birth, on July 15, 1954, Vinci was proclaimed 'city' by decree of the President of the Italian Republic Giulio Einaudi. The municipality's Medieval coat of arms was redrawn in the XIX century in order to add the da Vinci's escutcheon (three red staves on a golden field) to the original emblem (the representation of the castle in silver over a light blue background set above the town), and encircle the entire design with a crown.
Vinci is located in the heart of Tuscany, within easy reach of all the major Tuscan art cities.
Vinci is on the top of a hill in an area called Montalbano, a chain of high hills which encloses the plains of Pistoia and the Arno valley. Mainly dominated by olive groves and vineyards, the area is rich in woods and in several species of animals, which made the Medici family elect it as their hunting reservation ('Barco Reale').
The area also boasts fine examples of antique architecture - particularly the Medici residences in Artimino, Cerreto Guidi, Montelupo and Poggio a Caiano - traditional, centuries-old handcrafts such as glass-making and pottery, a superb culinary tradition as well as excellent wines and oils. Those who visit this enchanting town enjoy magical views of the true Tuscan countryside, rolling hills planted with seemingly endless olive trees and vines, so peaceful and unspoilt that you feel transported back to Leonardo times.

Thanks to the Vinci Associazione Foto Club for the kind concession of some images.