Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo Da Vinci

With its collection of over 10,000 items over three floors, it comes as no surprise that this museum is the largest of its kind in Italy, and a fitting tribute to the city's cherished former resident, for whom it is named. Once a 16th century monastery, then a military hospital under Napoleon, and reduced to rubble during Allied air raids, the current museum was finally opened in 1953. On show is every aspect of industry and technology, from Pascal's 1642 abacus to the first IBM processor, horology, telecommunications, astronomy, physics, optics, acoustics, metallurgy, the work of Da Vinci, and challenges for a better future. Avid visitors will want a full day inside, and the interactive hands-on labs are perfect for the youngest guests. Not to be missed is the Enrico Toti S-506, the first submarine made in Italy after World War II.