The National Museum of History of Moldova is hosting the exhibition “Da Vinci – Inventions” that presents the genial Italian painter Leonardo da Vinci as an investor and scientist as well. The exhibits include sketches, notes and copies of paintings made by the universal genius. The exhibition was opened on February 1 and will continue until April 1, IPN reports.

This is the first exhibit of the kind mounted in Moldova. It forms part of an international tour that includes over 60 countries from Europe, Asia, North America and Australia. It presents about 50 models of machineries, designs made 500 years ago, which were classed as hydraulic machines, flying machines, building machines and manufacturing machines. The models, some of which are functional, were made from wood in strict compliance with Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches and designs that weren’t reproduced during the investor’s lifetime. Among the exhibits are the bicycle, flying machine, submarine, aqualung, perfect town and other inventions made by da Vinci in the 15th century.

Alongside models of machines, there are exhibited copies of the famous anatomical manuscripts and notebook of da Vinci, reproductions in 3D format of the paintings “Mona Lisa”, “The last supper” and “Vitruvian Man” and of the sculptured statue of Francesco Sforza.

Attending the opening of the event, Minister of Culture Monica Babuc said this exhibit is a perfect example of the extraordinary essence of human intelligence, which is that non-deciphered Da Vinci Code. “I invite the general public of Moldova to profit from this nice occasion and see how a titan of the Renaissance could think,” she stated.

Italy’s Ambassador to Moldova Enrico Nunziata said this exhibition was appreciated at national level, in Italy, and at foreign level, in all the countries where it was mounted. The key message of the exhibit is that a lot can be achieved by research. The diplomat voiced hope that the exhibit will be seen by groups of students from all over the country.

The unique exhibition was staged by the Austrian company “Grande Exhibitions” under the aegis of the Rome-based Museum “Leonardo da Vinci”, with the support of Italian specialists. All the samples were made by Italian craftsmen who used techniques and materials similar to those used during the Renaissance. These examined over 6,000 pages of Da Vinci’s notebooks.

The exhibit is open from Monday through Friday between 10am and 7pm, while on Saturdays and Sundays – between 10am and 6pm. A ticket to the exhibition costs between 70 and 120 lei. The groups of visitors benefit from discounts.