Casa Atellani (Atellani House), Milan

Behold Casa Atellani, an awe-inspiring 15th-century palace located in the heart of Milan. During the reign of Ludovico Maria Sforza, regent of the Duchy of Milan, he generously granted building permits to his courtiers and collaborators to construct lavish buildings along the road axis of the ancient village of Porta Vercellina. The Atellani family, one of the privileged courtiers, purchased this palace from the Landi counts of Piacenza in 1490, and the Duke donated it to them. The palace was famous for the sumptuous parties thrown by the Atellanis, which attracted the most prominent personalities of the Sforza court, and the tales of their grandeur were documented in several chronicles of that era.

Besides featuring 15th-century frescoes, coats of arms, and paintings, this palace also boasts of neoclassical elements dating back to the 1920s restoration executed by the iconic architect Piero Portaluppi. Regrettably, the palace was severely damaged during the Second World War by air raids; however, its glorious garden, which encompasses the renowned Da Vinci's Vineyard, has endured the ravages of time.

When Leonardo da Vinci was working on The Last Supper mural, he lodged in Casa Atellani. The Duke gifted the property's vineyard, a rectangular plot of 60x175 meters, to the artist in 1498 as a tribute to his prodigious talent. Being from a family of winemakers, Leonardo cherished this vineyard, and even after he left Milan, he remained emotionally attached to it.

During the Expo 2015, the University of Milan collaborated with the Casa Atellani administration to replant Leonardo's vineyard. The replanting was based on the DNA analysis of the remains of the Malvasia di Candia Aromatica vines, a white grape variety that was popular during the Renaissance period, discovered during excavations. This was done in an attempt to recreate the wine that Leonardo may have tasted himself.

A visit to the vineyard is undoubtedly a must-do activity while in Da Vinci's Milan. However, one needs to book in advance to witness the glory of this living history.