La Vigna di Leonardo entrance

©Stephanie Ong/Lonely Planet

La Vigna di Leonardo

Corso Magenta & Sant'Ambrogio


Behind the 15th-century Casa degli Atellani, home of Renaissance courtiers dell’Atella, lies one of the most interesting gardens in Milan. Set within them are the original vines of Leonardo da Vinci, who was gifted the land by Ludovico Sforza in return for his work on The Last Supper. Leonardo cherished the vineyard and the tour of the garden and palazzo (mansion), renovated by Piero Portaluppi in the early 20th century, gives a unique insight into the deeply layered history of the city.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Corso Magenta & Sant'Ambrogio attractions

1. Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie

0.03 MILES

Begun by Guiniforte Solari in 1463, with later additions by Bramante, this handsome Lombard church encapsulates the magnificence of the Milanese court of…

2. The Last Supper

0.04 MILES

Milan's most famous mural, Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, is hidden away on a wall of the refectory adjoining the Basilica di Santa Maria delle…

4. Tempio della Vittoria

0.27 MILES

Situated over an ancient cemetery where Christian martyrs were laid to rest, this awesome, fascist-style mausoleum honours Milan’s World War I victims,…

5. Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio

0.3 MILES

St Ambrose, Milan’s patron saint and one-time superstar bishop, is buried in the crypt of this red-brick cathedral, which he founded in AD 379. It’s a…

6. Civico Museo Archeologico

0.35 MILES

The 8th-century Monastero Maggiore, once the most important Benedictine convent in the city, is now home to Milan's archaeological museum. Access is via a…

7. Chiesa di San Maurizio

0.37 MILES

This 16th-century royal chapel and one-time Benedictine convent is Milan's hidden crown jewel. Its somewhat sombre facade belies a gorgeous interior,…

8. Studio Museo Achille Castiglioni

0.4 MILES

Architect, designer and teacher Achille Castiglioni was one of Italy’s most influential 20th-century thinkers. This is the studio where he worked until…