Don’t Miss the Leonardo da Vinci Museum
On a perfect September day four Dante Aligheiri Society of Denver members visited the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Pueblo. My husband, Tom Mirabito, Pamela and Camilla Marcantonio and I spent the day, very impressed with how Joe Arrigo's dream became a reality. We encourage anyone—young or old, Italian or not—to make the trip.
A little over a year ago, Joe presented his partially finished dream to our Dante meeting at the Arvada Center. In June this year, the museum opened its doors.
The minute we walked into the vestibule, we were just amazed at what they had accomplished.
Local artists transformed the former arena into a representation of Italian architecture of 500 years ago.
They painted columns and archways, stone walls, and a virtual veranda, trees and flowers. They reproduced da Vinci’s artwork—the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.
In the main gallery, da Vinci’s drawings of his inventions are everywhere—with working models—many you can even manipulate! Amazing!
The library houses all of his written work. Videos and timelines help you understand what a genius he was and how his work still influences us today.
The most fun for me was the STEAM rooms. That’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics rooms for kids. In one area, kids can build their own inventions or make art. In another were hands-on learning stations. We were lucky the kids cleared out so we could have a turn! Among the activities: Create your own movie using dioramas, cameras and action! Fly a remote-control drone through obstacles and land it; Make paper airplanes and test them flying through hoops; Play in a sandbox with interactive technology and more.
Oh, and I found creative, unique, manipulative toys for my grandsons in the gift shop.
The museum sits right on the River Walk. We ate a late lunch at one of the many restaurants, took an excursion boat down the Arkansas River and enjoyed the various sculptures along the way.
What a great way to spend the day with friends or family. I can’t wait to share a day in Pueblo with my grandsons!
By Lois Britton