What to do and see in Florence Historic Center, Tuscany: The Best Science Museums

Housed in an old palace that was restored in the mid-1800s, this science museum houses an impressive collection of scientific instruments dating from the 13th century.

From 1sr September ‘La Specola’ Museum will close to allow for refurbishment works to be carried out to its historic headquarters. The duration of the works is planned for 18 months. This fascinating natural history collection can be traced back to the Medici family. Full of taxidermied animals of all types, skeletons and wax anatomical models, it is a must for the curious, as well as science and history lovers.

Over the years the Collection has grown so much, now reaching more than 243 models, that is has overtaken various collections in museums all around the world. Each of the machines in the Collection has been built using materials of the time being wood, metal, ropes and fabrics and interestingly, in the course of construction, many astounding mechanical findings have been revealed. Our research team has expanded over the years and now includes a really talented study group of scholars consisting of Historians, Engineers, Architects, Educators, Artisans and Craftsmen, whose expertise and knowledge has contributed enormously to improve the outcome of our scientific and historical research. The Collection has also been enriched with ‘Vitruvian Machines’, at least those we know of thanks to the writings of that great Roman Engineer of the first century BC., by other important ‘Greek-Roman Machines’ and some from the era of ‘Ancient Egypt’. Our research team also undertakes projects on behalf of third parties and is very proud of the rediscovery of the lost mechanism of Leonardo’s Robot and a new hypothesis for the motion of the Mechanical Lion. Of key importance to us is that the findings and rewards of our research and work is accessible for everyone to witness and enjoy. Therefore, in addition to The Collection being available to Museums, Art Galleries, Organizations, private exhibitions and for shopping mall displays, we’ve made provision for rental opportunities to smaller groups for School activities, Conferences and even Renaissance themed dinners.

The Leonardo da Vinci’s Museum is located in the heart of the city, very close to the Brunelleschi’s dome of the main Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore. At the entrance you will find the new bookshop, with a variety of interesting books, including our catalogue cured by Carlo Pedretti and a wide assortment of gadgets.Visiting the exhibition hall you can discover the world, the life, the works of the universally recognized as a worldwide Genius, whom secrets are still not yet completely revealed.Here you can also test the functioning of his most important projects and designs. You will admire inventions of an extraordinary visual impact, operating and life-size machines, such as the ” war machines ” with the great tank, or the “civil engineering machines” such as the Brunelleschi’s crane and the “flying machines“: you will then walk back through the ambitious dream of Leonardo’s life: the flight.In addition to his engineering projects you’ll find in a unique exhibition space, the reproductions of his most important paintings, including the Last Supper, the Mona Lisa and the Annunciation. A great opportunity to admire them all together and to compare them! The rooms of the museum are enriched with multimedia displays which will help you in understanding the functioning of the machines and making your visit even more enjoying.