Winter Olympics: Why tourists were turned away from Da Vinci’s Last Supper

• Access to Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper, in Milan was closed for three and a half days, disappointing numerous tourists.
• The closure, from 5 to 8 February, was not publicly explained but coincided with visits from several VIP delegations.
• Among the VIPs granted access was US Vice President JD Vance and his family, who visited after attending the Winter Olympics opening ceremony and meeting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
• Other foreign delegations, including those from China, Poland, Hungary, and Bulgaria, also visited the revered artwork during the restricted period.
• The unannounced closure caused frustration for both international visitors, who missed their only chance to see the painting, and local residents, who faced public transport disruptions.

IN FULL

Winter Olympics: VIPs including JD Vance visit The Last Supper while tourists blocked