Grand Exhibition Da Vinci - The Genius opened today in Porto

Da Vinci - The Genius exhibition opened in Porto, at the Customs Building and will remain open until July 31st.

This display brings to life the genius of Leonardo epitomized as the "Renaissance man", and it is the most comprehensive Leonardo da Vinci exhibition to tour the world. With the assistance of Museo Leonardo da Vinci (Italy) and Pascal Cotte of Lumiere Technology (France).

Though Leonardo Da Vinci remains best known for his art, including two world famous paintings, Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, it is extraordinary to discover the work of this man of a "thousand trades". Da Vinci was a painter, an inventor, an artist, a scientist, an anatomist, an engineer, an architect, a sculptor and a philosopher.

Mainly self-educated, Da Vinci dreamed of inventions, theories and concepts that he wrote down in dozens of secret notebooks, connecting science and nature.

Italian artisans have faithfully crafted interactive and life-size machine inventions for this matchless, full-spectrum Leonardo da Vinci exhibition experience.  

Visitors will have the unique experience to observe works that include the first concepts of a car, a bicycle, a helicopter, a glider, a parachute, a SCUBA, a submarine, a military tank just to name a few.

Exhibition Director, Paula Paz Dias Ferreira, stated that "this is a very comprehensive exhibition that comprises Da Vinci's life work."

Rui Moreira, Mayor of Porto, who attended the opening of the exhibition declared that "it has a cultural importance and also a pedagogical and educational value."

The mayor also highlighted the exhibition's ephemeral content, as it can be of interest for those visiting the city of Porto and that did not have the chance to visit this exhibition in another European capital.

The exhibition is commissioned by architect Eduardo de Souto Moura and will be open to the public until next July 31.

Da Vinci - The Genius exhibition is sponsored by Porto City Hall and the University of Porto.

Suitable for all ages, the

200+ exquisite pieces in total

75 large-scale machine inventions, many interactive

17 themed areas identify the breadth of Leonardo's work

Hands-on interactives encourage tactile learning experiences

Accessible interpretations of the theory and objective behind each of Leonardo's designs

Presents analysis and history of Leonardo's key artworks using engaging and entertaining technologies

See here for more information on the Grand Exhibitions' Da Vinci - The Genius.