Attraction
Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano)
Milan's Gothic cathedral, begun in 1386 and finished only in the 20th century, with marble spires, a gilded Madonnina and walkable rooftop terraces.
Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology
Italy's largest science and technology museum, in a former monastery, with Leonardo's machines as models, steam trains, ships and a submarine.
At a glance
- Type
- Science and technology museum
- Area
- Sant'Ambrogio, Milan, Italy
- Official site
- museoscienza.org
Good to know
- Leonardo models gallery
- Submarine Enrico Toti
- Interactive labs
- Family-friendly
Why we recommend it
The National Museum of Science and Technology is the largest museum of its kind in Italy and one of the best family days out in Milan. It opened in 1953 in the former Olivetan monastery of San Vittore al Corpo, a 16th-century complex with two cloisters, and it now covers about 50,000 square metres across several buildings. Remains of a Roman imperial mausoleum can still be seen among the cloisters.
The museum's founding collection is its gallery of models based on Leonardo da Vinci's drawings, the largest of its kind in the world. Machines for flight, war, water and building, made from his notebooks, give a clear idea of how wide his interests were. Elsewhere the collections range across materials, energy, communication and transport, from a Foucault pendulum and early telescopes to a steam-age power station.
The transport pavilions are the big draw for children. The rail pavilion recreates a station with real locomotives and carriages. The air and sea pavilion holds aircraft including a Second World War Macchi fighter, the bridge of the liner Conte Biancamano and the training sailing ship Ebe. Outside stands the Enrico Toti, the first submarine built in Italy after the Second World War, which can be visited on a guided tour; this needs a separate booking and is popular, so reserve early.
Interactive labs for children and adults run throughout the day, covering subjects such as robotics, chemistry and food science, and are best booked ahead. Allow at least half a day: three to four hours is enough for the highlights, but enthusiasts can stay longer. The museum is closed on Mondays. Weekends and school holidays are busy, so weekday afternoons are often calmer. There is a shop on site.
The entrance is on Via San Vittore, a short walk from the Sant'Ambrogio stop on metro line M2. The Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio is just around the corner, and Leonardo's Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie is about ten minutes away on foot, which makes a natural Leonardo-themed day. Book the Last Supper first, as its slots are the hardest to get, and then plan the museum around it.
Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology FAQs
What is there to see at the museum?
Models of Leonardo da Vinci's machines, trains, aircraft, ships, the Enrico Toti submarine and interactive labs.
Can you go inside the submarine?
Yes, on a guided tour that must be booked separately; places are limited.
Is it good for children?
Yes. The transport pavilions and the hands-on labs make it one of Milan's best family attractions.
Is the museum open on Mondays?
No, it is closed on Mondays.
How long should I allow?
Three to four hours for the highlights, or a full half day.
When did the museum open?
It was inaugurated on 15 February 1953 in the former monastery of San Vittore.
How do I get there?
Take metro line M2 to Sant'Ambrogio and walk a few minutes to Via San Vittore.
What is nearby?
The Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio and, about ten minutes' walk away, the Last Supper.