Vinci

On the slopes of Montalbano, between Florence and Pistoia, stands picturesque Vinci. The town of Leonardo, who was born in the hamlet of “Anchiano” on April 15, 1452, is dominated by the Castle of the Counts Guidi: this noble family took over the village around the year 1000 and ruled it until 1254.

Vinci was then conquered by Florence and became a commune in 1273. However, lying on the western border of the Florentine state, the village was exposed to frequent attempts by enemy powers to take it.

The Castle of the Counts Guidi has an unusual elliptical shape, which is why it has always been called the Castello della Nave (Ship Castle): the elongated shape of the building, together with its tall tower, recalls the outline of a sailboat.

The hills around Vinci are terraced with typical dry-stone walls and covered in olive groves and vineyards; among the most renowned wines are the red Sangiovese and the white Trebbiano. The same grapes are used to make Vin Santo, a dessert wine to enjoy with “cantuccini,” delicious little almond cookies. Made from a dough of flour, eggs, yeast, almonds and orange blossom essence, they are traditionally dunked in Vin Santo.

In June, Vinci becomes a delightful Renaissance village for the event Menar Mascelle all'ora di Cena: the castle square turns into an open-air tavern, where waiters in costume, jesters and minstrels serve traditional Tuscan dishes and entertain the diners.

July is the month of the Festa dell'Unicorno (Unicorn Festival), a major event devoted to the world of fantasy, with magic tournaments, costume parades and many other activities. The Unicorn days include a thrilling game of historic football, the Tenzon di Palla, and the traditional Volo di Cecco Santi: after the costume parade, the performers head to the village walls and throw down from them an effigy of Cecco Santi, an old captain who betrayed Vinci.