OPEN WEEK 2019 : THE LEONARDO DA VINCI'S WAY

OPEN WEEK 2019 : THE LEONARDO DA VINCI’S WAY

Former UNESCO world heritage candidate, the Montalbano and Valdinievole hills and area
constitute an interesting cultural and touristic itineray, following the story of Leonardo da Vinci,
trying to understand what influence these panoramas had on his artistic production.
The Hills of Leonardo have been occupied since 2500 years, from the necropolis around
Artimino to the big history in the medieval age, so detectable even now, to the Renaissance
era: this has always been a cultural landscape.
This land has always been very rich and strategically important, fought between Florence and
Lucca, or even Pistoia when it came to Diocesis, being the diocesis eage for dominating it
themselves. Florence managed to have the supremacy on this land, conquering Vinci in 1255
and Cerreto Guidi in 1278, so that this area became part of Florence, even if located in the
open countryside; this became a zone fully dedicated to wool market, counting over 1310 wool
corporations, over 30.000 workers and 100.000 pieces produced per day. A never ending
source of richness for Florence, or for whomever tried to conquer the place.
Even though the black pest in 1348 nearly halfened the population, the area was taken by the
Medici family, that realized a system of villas and farm that is still relevant at these days:
Lorenzo de Medici in 1470 built the first Medici Villa in Poggio a Caiano, projected by the
famous architect Giuliano da Sangallo, and then all the Medici farms in Cerreto Guidi,
Montevettolini, Magia, Castelmartini, Ambrogiana, Limite, Capraia, Bellavista, Stabbia, Ponte a
Cappiano, Terzo and Cerbaie: a full organized system of properties for the Medici family. Last
but not least the Villa Rospigliosi in Spicchio (Lamporecchio), whth a huge park, projected by
Bernini for Pople Clemente XI (Giulio Rospigliosi): the Montalbano area is indeed an
exceptional example of transiction between Medieval age and Renaissance.

Why do we call these the Hills of Leonardo?

Leonardo nasce illegittimo a Vinci il 15 aprile 1452, nel complesso rurale di Anchiano, ed ivi
abitò fino al 1469, presso il nonno Antonio, e anche quando si trasferì a Firenze è
documentato il suo continuo rapporto e la sua continua frequentazione con Vinci, le colline del
Montalbano e la Valdinievole. Tra gli esempi l’enorme lascito di disegni e manoscritti come i
due Codici di Madrid (scoperti solo nel 1967), o il celebre disegno giovanile di paesaggio del
1473.
Leonardo was born (unrecognized) in Vinci on 15th April 1452, in Anchiano, where he used to
live until 1469 at his Grandfather Antonio, and even when he moved into Florence, the
continuous presence of the Genius back to Vinci is testified by many letters or documents,
including his travelling around Montalbano and Valdinievole. More than others, the incredibly
famous drawing called “La Valdinievole o Passaggio nel giorno di Santa Maria della
Neve”, dated 5th August 1473, identifying the hills of Montevettolini, Monsummano Alto,
Montecatini Alto and the Padule Marshes.
This drawing is a milestone in the history of fine arts in the world, and it will be exceptionally
exposed in Vinci starting from 15th April, on an exhibition called “Leonardo da Vinci: alle
origini del Genio” www.museoleonardiano.it
Nei Codici di Madrid si trovano una serie infinita di rappresentazioni geografiche di paesi,
borghi e paesaggi che Leonardo incontrava nei suoi viaggi da Vinci verso Pisa, costeggiando il
padule oppure passando da sopra, ovvero dai borghi medievali di Monsummano Alto,
Montecatini Alto, Massa, Buggiano, Stignano, Uzzano, Pescia, Collodi e San Gennaro.

In the Madrid code of Vinci there are an incredibly high number of drawings of the villages of
the area, as if he often spent time to remember places he did indeed see a lot of times when
he was young, and that he saw in maps, too, or on his way from Vinci to Pisa, once he started
travelling the world, Milan before everything else: Monsummano Alto, Montecatini Alto, Massa,
Buggiano, Stignano, Uzzano, Pescia, Collodi and San Gennaro.
San Gennaro is right next to Collodi, the village of Pinocchio, and it’s the tiny village where the
statue of the Angel tributed to Leonardo from the most credited professor of Leonardo – Carlo
Pedretti – in 1990, was hidden unknown for centuries, until the very first moment Carlo Pedretti
spotted it, almost forgotten and burnt.
The story, or the legend, of the Angel of Leonardo will be valued and exhibited from the
Foundation Carlo and Rossana Pedretti: from 24th May the statue will also be visible in Vinci ,
right after the actual important exhibition of Leonardo in the HOLLAR drawings, that so many
visitors have seen these days. (http://www.fondazionerossanaecarlopedretti.org)
These are the panoramas that Leonardo has learnt to love and know when he was young, and
that he kept all life long in his eyes and heart, bringing them in all his artistic production. These
were the places, these were the plants, colours, animals, tastes and scents: this land has been
the background scene of his fantasy all his life.
AN ITINERARY ABOUT LEONARDO IN OPEN WEEK 2019
Here are all the activites during 2019 Open Week related to Leonardo da Vinci, in Montecatini
Terme and Valdinievole:

Cerreto Guidi

SPECIAL OPENING WITH GUIDED TOUR
Monday 22nd, Thursday 25th and Sunday 28th April from 10.30 am to 12.00pm
Guided visit of the VILLA MEDICEA of CERRETO GUIDI, worldwide famouse
because of the monumental staircase from Buontalenti, an architect who most probably
was inspired by the scenographic design of Leonardo da Vinci theatre scengraphies in
Milan, years before, at Sforza’s. A huge miniature in crochet of Cerreto Guidi and Vinci
will also be visitable during these dates.
For INFO please call the Tourist office of Cerreto Guidi ph +39 0571 906225 email
v.bonfanti@comune.cerreto-guidi.fi.it every morning.

Lamporecchio
GUIDED VISITS Sunday 28th April
THE PANORAMAS OF LEONARDO DA VINCI
A Guided visit of the Church of Orbignano and of the Leporaia Colle hill
A 6km hiking among the panoramas of Leonardo da Vinci, stopping by the very old
church of Santa Maria del Pruno, which still has some frescoes from over 700 years ago,
and within the hill of Leporaia.
MEETING POINT. IP Petrol station, Via Leonardo da Vinci, 44 Lamporecchio at 15.30
(or 3.30PM)
End of the hiking 18.00 (or 6PM)
Average challenge with some rising parts
INFO Isabella from Turist office in San Baronto email turismo@comune.lamporecchio.pt.it
Michela ph +39 347 8156922 mic.dn@virgilio.it

Larciano
500– LEONARDO EVENT
From MONDAY 22nd April to SUNDAY 5th May
Exhibition and Tribute to Carlo Pedretti: “Leonardo da Vinci, La Bellezza & l’Anatomia”,
an exhibition related to the beauty and the anatomy in the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci.
Organized by kind concession of the Pedretti Carlo and Rossana Fondation, with Proloco
Larciano.
SCHEDULE Opening times Mon – Fri from 9.00 to 12.00pm / Saturday 9.00 – 12.00pm and
from 15.30 (or 3.30pm) to 18.30 (or 6.30pm)
INFO Please call ph +39 3492103987 or +39 347 6378617 or email info@prolocolarciano.it

Monsummano Terme

MONDAY 22nd April and FRIDAY 26th April
MAC,N Museum of Contemporary and ‘900 art : permanent exhibition and temporary exhibition
of the artist Andrea Dami dedicated to the 500 LEONARDO
SCHEDULE from 9.30 to 12.30
INFO Address Via di Gragnano, 349 Monsummano Terme www.macn.it

THURSDAY 25th April and WEDNESDAY 1st May
Museum “Museo della Città e del Territorio” . an itinerary of architecture and art in the name of
Loenardo. The oratory of Santa Maria della Neve church in Montevettolini.
SCHEDULE from 9.00 to 13.00 (or 1.00PM) and from 16.00 (or 4.00PM) TO 18.00 (or 6.00PM)
INFO Piazza Ferdinando Martini, Monsummano Terme www.museoterritorio.it

SUNDAY 28th April at 15.00 (or 3.00PM) MONTEVETTOLINI (Monsummano)
GUIDED TOUR of the Castle of Montevettolini
The old village of Montevettolini, dating back to the XIIth century, is one of the defensive
structures of the Montalbano hill, a natural barrier to the foreigners dominations throughout the
centuries. This guided tour is developed on a ring path: after the observation of the countryside
around the hill, the walk steps inside the village, in the main square and in front of the Church of
San Michele. The Medici Villa at the top of the Montevettolini Hill is visible throughout the guided
walk: at some point it is possible to locate the exact point from where LEONARDO DA VINCI
realized the famous drawing “DISEGNO”, exhibited in Vinci from 15th April this year due to the
500 LEONARDO.
A little restoration will be provided inside the Palace of Podestà.
SCHEDULE Sunday 28th April at 15.00 (or 3.00PM), no challenges
TOOLS comfortable walking or trekking shoes
INFO mandatory booking at ph +39 0573 84540 or email fucecchio@zoneumidetoscane.it to know
the meeting point

MONTECATINI ALTO
EVERYDAY OPEN WEEK 2019
Exhibition "Valdinievole: a look by Leonardo da Vinci"
The exhibition is dedicated to the visions of Leonardo in Valdinievole; a big expositions of
the machines of Leonardo will be kept in the rocca, the highest fenced area of the village.
SCHEDULE every day of the open week from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.30 (or 2.30PM) to
18.30 (or 6.30 PM) at the Civic Center in via Lemmo di Balduccio, 5. Cost per person € 5,00
INFO www.montecatini-alto.it or www.congliocchidileonardo.it
HOW TO REACH MONTECATINI ALTO (other than with your car)
   1) Funicolar from Piazza Lido Cardelli, from 10.00 to 24.00 (12.00AM) everyday (with
       lunch break from 13.00 to 14.30) www.funicolare-montecatini.it
   2) walking or Biking, on our walking path LA CORTA (next to Funicolar) or VIA
       AMORE, starting from Viale Fedeli, Montecatini Terme.
       Download the app FIND YOUR FUN – Montecatini Outdoor to find out the GPX
       files of the tracks

GUIDED VISITS

SUNDAY 21st, MONDAY 22nd & SATURDAY 27th April
GUIDED WALKING TOURS IN MONTECATINI ALTO
A guided historical walk organized by pro-loco Montecatini Alto to find out more about
the castle and the village of Montecatini Alto: the bell tower, the clock tower, its
churches and panoramas, shops and restaurant, and to know more about the connection
with Leonardo
SCHEDULE Sunday 21st & Saturday 27th April at 15,30 (or 3.30PM); Monday 22nd April
at 10,30; meeting point square in front of the exit of funicular.
HOW TO REACH MONTECATINI ALTO (other than with your car)
    3) Funicolar from Piazza Lido Cardelli, from 10.00 to 24.00 (12.00AM) everyday (with
       lunch break from 13.00 to 14.30) www.funicolare-montecatini.it
    4) walking or Biking, on our walking path LA CORTA (next to Funicolar) or VIA
       AMORE, starting from Viale Fedeli, Montecatini Terme.
       Download the app FIND YOUR FUN – Montecatini Outdoor to find out the GPX
       files of the tracks

VINCI

LEONARDO 2019
Celebrating the 5th centenary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death (1519 – 2019)

From MONDAY 15th April to 15th OCTOBER
EXHIBITION “LEONARDO A VINCI. ALLE ORIGINI DEL GENIO”
Organized in collaboration with the Uffizi gallery, the exhibition Leonardo a Vinci, at the
origin of the genius revolves around Leonardo da Vinci's drowing, Landscape
(Paesaggio) (inv. 8P, gabinetto disegni e stampe degli Uffizi) already identified as the view
of the lower Arno and Nievole river valleys.
From the earliest known work by Leonardo, dated August 5, 1473 by the artist himself, the
exhibition unfolds around the landscape and early events in the life of the artist, retraced
through important documents on loan from the Florence State Archives

INFO
Museo Leonardiano di Vinci Piazza Guido Masi, Vinci
tel (+39) 0571 933285 - info@museoleonardiano.it

What to do in VINCI during LEONARDO 500: VISIT WWW.MUSEOLEONARDIANO.IT

THROUGHOUT OPEN WEEK 2019
“LEONARDO DISEGNATO DA HOLLAR “ Exhibition
At FONDAZIONE CARLO E ROSSANA PEDRETTI Piazza Carlo Pedretti, 1 – VINCI
Since the XVII century a large interest focused the attention of the world on the Maestro from Vinci,
especially the attention of one of the most famous artists in Europe, HOLLAR. This exhibition brings to the

visitors the power of Hollar drawings compared in scale 1:1 with the powerful drawings of Leonardo da
Vinci, on a real journey on the beauty of faces and human bodies, beautiful or odd they are.

SCHEDULE EVERYDAY FROM 10.00 TO 17.00 (or 5.00PM)
INFO ticket 6,00 / reduced 4,00 (over 65y citizens and groups) FREE kids under 12.00
contacts ph + 39 0571 1735135 info@fondazionerossanaecarlopedretti.org

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