The Château de Chambord

The Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley is one of the most spectacular and distinctive examples of French Renaissance architecture, however the designer's identity remains a mystery. There are no documents, building plans, or even contemporary literature describing its construction, yet some speculate that the architect was none other than Leonardo da Vinci.

The timelines correspond in chronological order. In 1516, an ailing Leonardo accepted Monarch Francis I of France's invitation to join his court as the "principal painter, architect, and engineer of the king." He died in 1519, the same year that work on the Château de Chambord began.

Those who have studied the works of the Italian polymath perceive his influence in many parts of the castle, including the ornate façade and grid-style plan, but especially in the castle's most famous feature, the staircase. The staircase's design was unique in French architecture at the time, with a double spiral that allowed two persons to move up and down the stairs without colliding. People couldn't help but remark how similar it was to Leonardo's "double helix" design, which appears in multiple designs. Could the castle plans be da Vinci's final masterpiece?

Start date/year: September 6, 1519

Address: Château, 41250 Chambord, France