Visiting Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper painting as a ‘must-see’ in Milan and yet many people miss out. It’s easily done because it requires booking well in advance. The painting has to be seen to be truly appreciated. The word ‘masterpiece’ is over-used, but not when it comes to this painting and its story of survival.
There are several amazing things about this painting. The biggest is where it’s located! Between 1495 and 1497, it was painted on the wall of a convent refectory attached to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (pictured above). Effectively this was cafe art. Many of its challenges are to do with where it was painted. It can’t be moved like a framed picture can. It survived World War 2 bombings and damage from poor attempts to restore but its condition is so delicate, that visiting now is strictly limited. You have to enter in small groups and you can only spend 15 minutes in its presence. This is in order to preserve the climate controlled environment which has been created in the room. There are only a limited number of tickets each day to see the painting and they book up several weeks in advance. If there are no tickets left when you’re in Milan, the only option is to book an organised Guided Tour to gain access.
When you’re standing in front of the painting, look for the way that Leonardo uses perspective to make the painting feel like an extension of the room that you’re in. He’d also been studying the effects of sound waves, and he uses this in the way the conversations are depicted at the moment Jesus reveals that there is a traitor amongst them. Everywhere you look, you also see the significance of the numbers 4 and 3. The groupings of the figures are in 4 groups of 3, there are 3 windows at the rear, with 4 tapestries on the side walls etc.
Take some time to visit the church itself. The wall frescoes inside are lovely and even the ceilings are decorated. Head to the altar and look up at the inside of the huge dome on the roof. Another site to see at the church is lovely cloister from where there is a great view of the dome tower. There is also a collection of archaeological ruins in a garden at the side of the dome.
Tickets to see the Last Supper are 15 Euros (2025 prices). This is the official site to book online: Cenacolo Vinciano. Viewing times for the Last Supper are Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15am to 7pm. You can book several months in advance. The Last Supper site is a national museum and is not operated by the church.
LOCATION & CONTACT
Address: Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 20123 Milano, Italy
Tel: +39 02 467 6111 (Santa Maria delle Grazie)
Tel: +39 02 92 800 360 (Last Supper Booking Line)
The Milan Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour stops near to the church of Santa Maria della Grazie
MORE ON THE LAST SUPPER
Santa Maria delle Grazie – Official website
Cenacolo Vinciano – Official Tickets
The Last Supper – Wikipedia
Santa Maria delle Grazie – Wikipedia
Hotels near Santa Maria delle Grazie – We recommend Hotels.com