Milan is gearing up to pay tribute to Leonardo da Vinci on the 500th anniversary of his death with a series of events as part of the 'Milano Leonardo 500' programme, which was presented in London on January 18. Italian Ambassador to the UK Raffaele Trombetta and London Deputy Mayor for Culture Justine Simons both attended the presentation. 

One of the big events of the programme is the return to Milan of the Madonna Litta, which the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg is loaning to the Poldi Pezzoli Museum for a special exhibition. Leonardo was active in Milan for 20 years, and his work there left indelible signs, from the canal locks of the Naviglio Grande to the Last Supper. The official inauguration of the Milano Leonardo 500 programme will take place on May 15.