The Last Supper in Milan: 7 best tips and secrets how to visit it

Unlike many other iconic works of art, The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci has never been part of a private collection... mainly because it was painted on the wall of a small church in Milan, which made it too hard to move (or steal). But just like many other iconic works of art, it's quite tricky to visit.

Thousands of tourists arrive and leave Milan without having glimpsed the famous painting, because you need to reserve your ticket, sometimes months in advance. Here's how to break the Da Vinci Code and organize a smooth visit.

Few people know that this famous work by Da Vinci was painted on the wall of the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria Delle Grazie in 1498. It was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, the patron of Leonardo Da Vinci. It measures 4.80 x 8.80 m (15.75 x 28.9 ft) and its name in Italian (if you're looking for signs to follow) is Cenacolo Vinciano.

Because of the techniques and materials Leonardo used for painting, the work started crumbling as early as 1517. It has suffered from damage several times through the centuries, most recently during the WWII bombardments. From 1978 until 1999 the refectory was rebuilt as a sealed, temperature and humidity-controlled room in place of its original design. Visitors enter the refectory after they have passed through a humidity-controlling transfer room, in groups of no more than 30 people. They are allowed to remain inside for no more than 15 minutes.