A Leonardo da Vinci mural undergoing restoration at Sforza Castle in Milan will be temporarily opened to the public for five weeks starting February 7, coinciding with the Winter Olympics in Italy. Visitors can climb a 20-foot scaffold inside the Sala delle Asse to observe conservators at work on the delicate tempera painting, which was begun shortly before Milan fell to France in 1499 and was later covered by plaster and lost for centuries. The mural was rediscovered in the late 19th century, with further sections uncovered in the 20th century, and the current restoration uses Japanese rice paper and demineralized water to clean the surface.
This limited access offers a rare opportunity to see a major Leonardo work up close during a critical conservation phase, highlighting the intersection of cultural heritage and global sporting events. The temporary opening underscores the ongoing efforts to preserve fragile Renaissance masterpieces and the importance of public engagement with art conservation, while also drawing attention to Milan's cultural offerings beyond the Olympics.