A new exhibition in Astana, Kazakhstan, brings Leonardo da Vinci's visionary engineering to life with over 40 life-size mechanical models reconstructed from his original drawings and notes. Titled "Leonardo da Vinci: Genius of the Renaissance," the show runs at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation and draws on surviving manuscripts known as the Vinci Codices, which were sourced from museums in Rome and Florence.
Narima Mukhambetalina, the exhibition's director, noted that Leonardo wrote more than 20,000 pages of manuscripts during his lifetime, of which around 7,000 survive today. These preserved writings have allowed specialists to reconstruct mechanical devices based on his drawings, offering a tangible glimpse into the mind of a polymath who blended art, science, and engineering.
Thematic Zones Reflect Nature's Forces
The exhibition spans nearly 3,000 square metres and is organized into four thematic zones: air, water, earth, and fire. This layout mirrors Leonardo's lifelong fascination with natural forces and demonstrates how he transformed observation into engineering solutions centuries ahead of their time. Visitors can explore early flying machines, military devices, and engineering mechanisms that anticipated technologies developed hundreds of years later.
Among the highlights is Leonardo's famous aerial screw, widely regarded as a precursor to the modern helicopter, as well as his parachute design, which reflected his studies of flight and air resistance. The exhibition also showcases his vision of military technology, including an armoured vehicle inspired by the shape of a turtle shell, which Leonardo envisioned as a moving fortress capable of protecting soldiers while advancing across the battlefield.
Other exhibits reveal Leonardo's interest in automation and mechanics. They include a self-propelled cart, often described as an early concept of the automobile, as well as mechanisms such as ball bearings, gears, and transmission systems that continue to influence engineering today. Tour guide Dilnaz Zholdaskhanova noted that visitors are often most surprised by the fire zone, where military machines are on display, while the air zone, featuring the parachute and aerial screw, also attracts significant interest.
Historical models are complemented by modern technology, including LED tunnels, digital projections, and holographic installations that help visitors visualize Leonardo's ideas and understand how his inventions were intended to work. Digitised versions of his most famous artworks, such as the Mona Lisa, are also featured as part of the experience.
According to organisers, the exhibition has attracted strong interest from younger visitors thanks to its interactive format, which allows guests to engage directly with many of the exhibits. This blend of Renaissance ingenuity and contemporary digital tools underscores the enduring relevance of Leonardo's work.
For those interested in broader European cultural heritage, the exhibition echoes themes explored in other recent shows, such as the Musée d'Orsay's gallery addressing Nazi-looted art, which also grapples with historical legacies. Meanwhile, the practical application of Leonardo's designs can be seen in the return of Lombardy's 500-year-old Leonardo ferry, a testament to his enduring influence on European infrastructure.
The Astana exhibition runs through early 2025, offering a rare opportunity to experience the mechanical genius of a Renaissance master far from his Italian homeland. It serves as a reminder of how Leonardo's interdisciplinary approach continues to inspire innovation across Europe and beyond.
