In advance of his visit to Israel next week, Italian leader Silvio Berlusconi has sent the Knesset a set of original writings and sketches by Leonardo da Vinci. The materials, part of the Codex Atlanticus collection, will arrive in Israel under heavy guard Wednesday, and will remain here until Passover. The materials were only recently permitted to be taken outside of Italy. They will be put on display in the Knesset.

The documents include plans for inventions Da Vinci hoped to build, including an excavation machine, a well water pump, and an aviation study.