Replica of the toilet made according to the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci for King Francis I

Francis I, a prominent representative of the Renaissance, was not only interested in works of art, but was also a “reformer” on the transformation of medieval castles into palaces. He invited to France a pleiad of great artists from Italy, among whom was Leonardo da Vinci.

Arriving in Paris, Leonardo was so shocked by the Paris stench that in 1516 he designed a flush toilet specially for his patron. In the drawings of the great seer, water supply pipes, and drainage pipes, and ventilation shafts, and drain valve, and even a toilet lid, which should limit the flow of unpleasant odors into the room, are indicated.

Alas, as in other cases, Leonardo's ideas remained on paper. Francis, who highly esteemed da Vinci, did not want to build his invention, because for this it would be necessary to conduct water and sewage systems in the castle, which cost a lot of money. In addition, he already had a toilet throne - the subject of envy and imitation of many nobles.