VINCI


VINCI
14.000 inhabitants. The town is surrounded by the gentle rolling hills around Florence and Pisa, but it is also very close to Pistoia and Siena. It is particularly famous for being the birthplace of the Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci. Vinci was once inhabited by the Etruscans, then by the Ancient Romans, who declared it a Roman castrum (castrum meaning it was used as a military defensive position). Since 1000 to 1264 the town was under the feudal Counts Guidi’s control, but in 1264 the Florentines started dominating this area and made Vinci a free city. Because of its vicinity to Pisa, the town was often house and cause of endless conflicts among Florence and its neighbour cities that wanted to expand their territories.

Important sights of the city:
  • Leonardo's Museum inside the Castle:
Since its elongated shape reminds of a ship, it is called Castello della nave (nave meaning ship). It was built as the fortified residence of the Counts Guidi, but many different noble families have owned it throughout the centuries. In 1919 it finally became property of the Municipality and today it houses the famous Leonardo Museum. The Leonardo Museum was opened for the first time on the occasion of the 5th centenary of Genius Leonardo’s birth, on 15th April 1953. From that moment onwards, the museum has been modernizing more and more. There is a growing number of faithful full-size copies of Leonardo’s masterworks, all followed by detailed descriptions. The inventions concern the movement in the air, on the water and on the road. Visitors are also given the fantastic opportunity to compare Leonardo’s works with others by different inventors.
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Testimonials

  • Shore Excursion from Livorno Harbour to Florence and Pisa

    Santiago Family from POrtorico. Shore Excursion to Pisa and Florence , back to the harbour. Thanks for travelling with us . Read more
  • Flavia Saiad

    After some days in Tuscany , here there are at the Station ready for another Italian's adventure Read more
  • Karen & Jhon from Boston

    E-mail dated back Septmber 2019
    Hi Sylvia - its' hard to believe but in a few weeks it will be a year since our wonderful trip to Tuscany and our three days of touring with you. We've told many, many people about our three days touring with you in Tuscany! We love to tell the story of the guy in the

    ... Read more
  • Judith Wolfe on Behalf of Linda Wolfe October 2018

    Dear Silvia,My customers have returned from their long extended trip to Italy. San Gimignano was their 1st stop.They said the tour you arranged was wonderful and the guide made it especially good, saying that he is one of the best they ever had.They also really enjoyed the lunch stop and view.Thank you... Read more
  • Mrs. Maristela Azevedo

    Hello, Silvia, how are you?
    I’d like to thank you for the great time you gave us!!!We loved everything!
    I told my husband that, the next time, we will rent an apartment in San Gimignano…and you will take us to the wineries…He loved it!
    Thank you very much for everything. It was everything wonderful!!!... Read more
  • Jaime Otero y Jose Carlos Gonzalez Bonilla

  • Shane Quintard

    Ciao Silvia!

    Grazie ancora per il grande tour di Siena e San Gimignano - io e mia moglie e amici aveva un grande momento e che era esattamente quello che speravamo! La cantina è stata una scelta eccellente, come pure! Abbiamo lasciato ieri (1 febbraio) e ha fatto arrivare a casa in modo sicuro, nonostante ... Read more
  • Carole Gaddis

    Hi Silvia,  It's so good to hear from you.  We're fine.  We had six days at home after Tuscany and then flew to South Korea for two weeks!  We've just returned, exhausted!
    We had such a great time with you, Silvia.  The tip could never be enough to show our appreciation for your kindness and help.  ... Read more
  • The British Institute of Florence

    Gentile Silvia,  La volevo ringraziare per la sua disponibilità riguardo la gita di sabato.  Le signore le hanno fatto tutte molti complimenti per la sua guida!
    Grazie e a presto,
    Cordiali saluti,
    Liz Read more
  • Mrs Elizabeth ( wedding Planner ) Original Tuscan Wedding

    Ciao Silvia,
    Ecco i complimenti dalle Sposi del 16 Ottobre!!
    Our driver Johnny was so awesome!  He drove us all over the Chianti region.  He took us to a few wineries and we had a private tour of one of the wineries including a wine tasting and oil tasting.  He even took us into a store with a cellar ... Read more