Back in 1498, Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, donated to Leonardo da Vinci a plot near the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Leonardo appreciated the gift, not to mention that ownership of land
was a necessary element to obtain the citizenship in Milan. The vineyard, a rectangular plot of around 8.000mq, was surrounded by the vegetable gardens and vineyards of the nearby religious
communities. Here, Leonardo could have built a small house or a
laboratory, very convenient while he was working to the fresco of 'The Last Supper' in the refectory of the Monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie, on the opposite side of the street. But, this would be his last important work for the Sforza family. French troops invaded Milan in October 1499, forcing the Sforza to leave, and, after eighteen years in Milan, Leonardo da Vinci also left the town, eventually returning in his native Tuscany.He moved again to Milan in 1507, accepting the invitation of King Louis XII of France. Leonardo reclaimed its property and was soon busy with different activities. It is still not sure whether he built a house or other buildings here, but he was really interested in and affectionated to the vineyard and included it in his will.
The vineyard we see today is the result of meticulous, long and passionate studies, excavations and researches. The location, the grape variety, identified in the white Malvasia di Candia Aromatica from the DNA of the remains of the roots, the scheme of paths and rows emerged from the ground and confirmed by drawings of the vineyard sketched by Leonardo; each element has been analyzed and faithfully recreated in the vineyard planted at the bottom of the peaceful, shady garden of the Casa degli Atellani.
Photos:
TravelinaGarden, Milan, July 2015.
Links:
La Vigna di Leonardo, Milan.
http://www.vignadileonardo.com/?setlang=en
