Santa Maria delle Grazie
Milan
Santa Maria delle Grazie is a Renaissance church in Milan, world-famous for holding Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper. Fragile and fascinating, the masterpiece draws visitors from every continent. Follow the treasure map to the refectory painted by Leonardo.
The history of Santa Maria delle Grazie
The Dominican convent complex was built in the second half of the 15th century. Ludovico il Moro, lord of Milan, chose it as his family's burial place and promoted its enlargement, entrusting the grand tribune to Donato Bramante. The church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the Last Supper.
What to see
In the convent's adjoining refectory is "The Last Supper", the famous mural painted by Leonardo da Vinci between 1495 and 1498. The work portrays the moment Jesus announces that one of the disciples will betray him, capturing each apostle's reaction. The church itself is a refined example of architecture between Lombard Gothic and Renaissance, with its elegant Bramante apse.
Curiosities and legends
Leonardo painted the Last Supper on dry plaster instead of true fresco, an experimental choice that made the work very fragile and prone to early decay. Over the centuries it has suffered damage, restorations and even a bombing in the Second World War that destroyed the refectory's vault: the painted wall, protected by sandbags, survived.
Visiting Santa Maria delle Grazie
Entry to the church is free, but visits to the Last Supper are limited: you go in small groups for a few minutes, with compulsory booking well in advance. The strict conservation conditions aim to protect one of the most precious and delicate works in the history of art.
