We had a break from our professional activities, and we spent some days in London, acting as tourists and not as guides. We have been able to visit the amazing exhibition "Leonardo da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan". Although all the bookable tickets are sold out since the very first day, we have been able to buy some of the 500 daily tickets sold by the National Gallery.
VisitMantua is now happy to share with its readers these ten tips, to help you in planning your visit (and your queue too) to this extraordinary exhibition.
VisitMantua is now happy to share with its readers these ten tips, to help you in planning your visit (and your queue too) to this extraordinary exhibition.
1 - Queue early.
Although the exhibition opens at 10am, the queue starts earlier. You should be at the gate about 7am.
Although the exhibition opens at 10am, the queue starts earlier. You should be at the gate about 7am.
2 - Find the
right gate.
The exhibition is in the Sainsbury Wing, which has several entrances. The queue for the visitor without a booked ticket is at eastern gate. Let’s stand in the right line!
The exhibition is in the Sainsbury Wing, which has several entrances. The queue for the visitor without a booked ticket is at eastern gate. Let’s stand in the right line!
3 - Manage
your resources.
Each person can purchase up to three tickets. If you are a small group, you should choose the most eligible members in resisting to the cold, or you can plan queuing shifts.
Each person can purchase up to three tickets. If you are a small group, you should choose the most eligible members in resisting to the cold, or you can plan queuing shifts.
4 - Make it
comfortable.
In the path of the queue, there are no benches or other seats (low walls, steps etc.). Bring a pillow inside a large plastic bag, so that you can sit on the floor and preserve your energies for the exhibition. You can then leave your pillow in the bag at the cloakroom.
In the path of the queue, there are no benches or other seats (low walls, steps etc.). Bring a pillow inside a large plastic bag, so that you can sit on the floor and preserve your energies for the exhibition. You can then leave your pillow in the bag at the cloakroom.
5 - Have
breakfast.
If you are queuing with other mates, shift with short breaks to drink something hot: there are several cafes in the area. In addition, about 8.30, the National Gallery will put a cart with hot drinks and pastries near the queue.
If you are queuing with other mates, shift with short breaks to drink something hot: there are several cafes in the area. In addition, about 8.30, the National Gallery will put a cart with hot drinks and pastries near the queue.
6 - Pass the
time.
Have at your fingertips a book or a magazine. About mid-morning the staff of the National Gallery will provide you with the exhibition guide, with captions of all the paintings on show. And have a chat with the other people in the line: you are there for the same reason, so you surely have something in common.
Have at your fingertips a book or a magazine. About mid-morning the staff of the National Gallery will provide you with the exhibition guide, with captions of all the paintings on show. And have a chat with the other people in the line: you are there for the same reason, so you surely have something in common.
7 - Check the
time.
Daily tickets are issued with entry slots. So, although you have stayed in line all morning, you may have tickets for the afternoon. Check the admission time on the tickets, because you are not allowed to visit the exhibition prior to your turn.
Daily tickets are issued with entry slots. So, although you have stayed in line all morning, you may have tickets for the afternoon. Check the admission time on the tickets, because you are not allowed to visit the exhibition prior to your turn.
8 - Recharge
your energies.
If your ticket is for an afternoon entrance, take the opportunity to get some rest . You'll need almost two hours to visit the exhibition. So, avoid to do it tired both physically and mentally.
If your ticket is for an afternoon entrance, take the opportunity to get some rest . You'll need almost two hours to visit the exhibition. So, avoid to do it tired both physically and mentally.
9 - Undress
yourself.
Deposit coats, scarves, etc. in the cloakroom: the exhibition is very hot.
Deposit coats, scarves, etc. in the cloakroom: the exhibition is very hot.
10 - Follow
the order.
Watch the introductory video. Then move to the exhibition rooms following the numbers of the works on show. If you can not get close enough to read the captions, just remember they are all listed in the booklet they gave when you were still queuing. And - finally - remember that the last section of the exhibition, dedicated to the Last Supper, is located in another part of the Gallery. Follow the directions to get there and have on hand your ticket, you will be asked again for it.
And, least but not last... enjoy it!
Watch the introductory video. Then move to the exhibition rooms following the numbers of the works on show. If you can not get close enough to read the captions, just remember they are all listed in the booklet they gave when you were still queuing. And - finally - remember that the last section of the exhibition, dedicated to the Last Supper, is located in another part of the Gallery. Follow the directions to get there and have on hand your ticket, you will be asked again for it.
And, least but not last... enjoy it!