Leonardo da Vinci museum. The building at right, the Castello dei Conti Guidi, in the town of Vinci, Italy, houses the Museo Leonardiano. The building dates from the 13th century. The church of Santa Croce (background, centre left) is where Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was christened. The modern wooden globe at left, which includes the famous 'Vitruvian Man', is based on da Vinci's designs. He lived in Vinci from the age of 5 to 14, then trained in Florence as an artist. He was also an architect and an inventor. Leonardo is most famous for his works of art, such as The Last Supper (1498) and the Mona Lisa (1504). His inventions included flying machines. Most of his projects were never published nor constructed. After Leonardo's death his notes lay unnoticed in a library until 1796.