Tourists stopped from seeing The Last Supper, while Olympic VIPs including Vance visit

Source: AP

Updated 12:52 PM EST, February 7, 2026


MILAN (AP) — Tourists to Milan during the Winter Olympics hoping to see Leonardo da Vinci’s “ The Last Supper” were in for an unwelcome surprise: Access to the masterpiece is closed to the public for 3 1/2 days. The painting, created between 1494 and 1498 by the Italian Renaissance artist, is located on a wall inside the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie, a church and Dominican convent still used by friars. It is a major attraction for appreciators of art and devout Catholics alike.

Tourists stuck at the police cordon down the street leading to Santa Maria delle Grazie were disappointed. Antonio Rodríguez, who traveled from Spain with friends, said they would have no other chance to see the painting nor the adjacent church since they only traveled for the weekend. “We didn’t know we would face this,” said Rodríguez, adding he had no plans to attend events related to the Games. “We would have gone somewhere else in the city.”

A sign on the wall outside Il Cenacolo Vinciano stated that access to the landmark would be closed all day on Feb. 5, 6 and 7, and the morning of Feb. 8, without giving any reason. Staff there told a reporter from The Associated Press they were not authorized to provide any information.

VIPs still allowed in on Saturday

Unbeknownst to frustrated visitors, multiple groups of VIPs were exempt from the restrictions on Saturday. Among them were U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his family, according to a statement from the vice president’s office. They visited the morning after he met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and attended the Games’ opening ceremony.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-vance-last-supper-cfec5691fdaeb392ba58b85da346b6d5