Leonardo's Rivellino

Leonardo's Rivellino is a small museum dedicated to a military fortification designed by Leonardo da Vinci during his stay in the Milanese region. Located in the heart of Locarno's old town, the museum occupies a medieval building that once housed a rivellino, a type of outwork fortress. The exhibit features a detailed wooden model of Leonardo's design, along with reproductions of his sketches and notes related to defensive architecture. Interactive displays allow visitors to explore the engineering principles behind the structure, including its angled bastions and moat system. The museum also touches on Leonardo's broader work as an engineer and artist, with a few facsimiles of his famous codices. What makes this museum distinctive is its focus on a lesser-known aspect of Leonardo's genius, military engineering, and its setting in a historic building that itself evokes the Renaissance. The museum is compact, taking about 30 minutes to explore, but offers a unique glimpse into the mind of a polymath. After visiting, you can wander Locarno's charming cobblestone streets and Piazza Grande.

Don't miss

• See a detailed wooden model of Leonardo's rivellino design
• Explore interactive touchscreens explaining Renaissance fortification principles
• View reproductions of Leonardo's sketches from the Codex Atlanticus
• Visit the historic medieval building housing the museum
• Combine with a stroll through Locarno's old town and Piazza Grande

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Leonardo's Rivellino

Cheapest way inMilan: Leonardo da Vinci Self-Guided Escape Game4.2★ · 19 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$7 per personSee dates →Most bookedLeonardo Da Vinci Museum Entrance Ticket4.4★ · 1,535 travelers1–2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$12 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleMilan: Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper Early Morning Private Tour4.7★ · 14 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$297 per personSee dates →