Mostra di Leonardo offers an engaging, kid-friendly introduction to the inventor and artist. Explore the museum’s collection of wooden models of dozens of da Vinci’s machines, as well as 3D holograms demonstrating the engineering behind his inventions and the techniques used to create his famous paintings. In the final hall, peer beneath the glass floor to see the tomb of Aulo Irzio, a Roman lieutenant killed in 43 BC during the Battle of Modena. Discovered in 1938, the tomb is submerged under the waters of the Euripus, the underground waterway that flows through Rome’s historic center and drains into the Tiber River.
In the heart of Rome, Mostra di Leonardo is an easy stop for travelers visiting the most popular sights in the Eternal City. Book your ticket in advance to skip the long entry line.
The Leonardo da Vinci Museum is a good choice for adults and kids alike.
The museum is wheelchair-accessible.
There’s no café, but the surrounding neighborhood has several dining options.
Located on Piazza della Cancelleria in Rome’s historic center, the museum is a short walk from Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiori, and other major attractions.
The museum is open daily with no midafternoon closure, making it a welcome refuge from the summer heat and crowds of central Rome.
Besides the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, Rome is home to two other da Vinci–themed museums. The Leonardo da Vinci Experience, near the Vatican, showcases reproductions of da Vinci’s Renaissance artworks. Or, check out the small Leonardo da Vinci Museum in the Galleria Agostiniana (part of Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo), which features more than 60 inventions modeled after the artist’s machines.
