Your Comprehensive Travel Guide to The Last Supper in Milan
The Last Supper Painting | Quick Facts
Official name: The Last Supper, Cenacolo (Italian)
Location/Address: Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan
Date of painting: Dated 1495–1498
Timings: Tuesday to Saturday from 8.15 AM to 7 PM, Sunday from 2 PM to 7 PM
UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Dominican monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie where the Last Supper was painted, was designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site In September 1980.
10 Facts About Last Supper PaintingThe Last Supper is one of the most recognizable murals in the world. This masterpiece from Leonardo Da Vinci is housed at the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. This piece of art, which was created between 1494 and 1498 while Ludovico il Moro was in charge, depicts Jesus and his disciples at the last supper.
Several precautions have been put in place to keep the artwork from deteriorating. Since the recent restoration efforts, admission has been limited to a group of 35 individuals every 15 minutes to maintain the Last Supper fresco at room temperature.
- The Last Supper in Milan is one of the most popular paintings.
- Da Vinci started his work on the Last Supper in 1494 and finished in 1498 and there is a lot of history associated with the painting.
- The Last Supper in Milan is a perfect example of renaissance ideals.
- You can see the clever use of perspective by Da Vinci as the painting feels like an extension of the refectory.
- You can see the remnants of the restoration work done to preserve the Last Supper painting.
- Take photos (no flash photography) of one of the most recognizable paintings in the world.
Plan Your Visit to See The Last Supper in Milan
Why Visit The Last Supper in Milan
- General Timings: Access to the Last Supper is from Tuesday to Saturday, 8.15 AM. to 7 PM. On Sundays, from 2 PM. to 7 PM.
- Last Admission: Last admission to visit the Last Supper is at 6.45 PM.
- Days Closed: Mondays, January 1st, and December 25th
- Duration of Visit: Visitors are allowed in groups of 35 people for a period of 15 minutes to see the Last Supper painting
Address: Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 20123 Milano MI, Italy Find on Maps
One of the world's most renowned and well-known pieces of art, Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper is on display at its original location. It can be found on the wall of the dining room of the former Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in Milan.
Milan is a famous city full of historical delights. Duomo Square is located in the city center and is not far from Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper at the Santa Maria delle Grazie. The renowned Milan Gothic Cathedral and Victor Emanuel II statue, created in 1896 in tribute to the Italian sovereign, are located in this area.
What is the Santa Maria delle Grazie?
Located in Milan, northern Italy, Santa Maria delle Grazie ("Holy Mary of Grace") is a church and Dominican convent that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Santa Maria delle Grazie was built on the site of a former chapel honouring St. Mary of the Graces' by order of the Duke of Milan, Francesco I Sforza. The convent, which was finished by 1469, was built by the convent's principal architect, Guiniforte Solari.
The Santa Maria delle Grazie is famous as Leonardo da Vinci painted The Last Supper in the refectory of the Dominican convent.
Santa Maria delle Grazie Highlights
Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
The artwork was ordered in 1495 and finished in 1497. Leonardo da Vinci's painting portrays the instant when Christ declared, "One of you will betray me." Leonardo disregarded the traditional interpretation of the composition and placed Jesus directly in the middle of the Apostles as opposed to the side. The Last Supper in Milan is one of the best examples of art during renaissance period. It captures the realistic emotions of the disciples and showcases the mastery of Leonardo da Vinci as an artist.
Crucifixion by Giovanni Donato da Montorfano
Another piece of art opposite to the Last Supper in Santa Maria Delle Grazie's refectory. It is the Crucifixion painted by Giovanni Donato da Montorfano. it depicts the . Crucifixion of Jesus. Mary Magdalene, who is holding the cross in her arms, is standing at the foot of Jesus. Other saints and Dominican order leaders are also depicted in the painting.
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Chiostro delle Rane (Frog Cloister)
The frog cloister, or Chiostro delle Rane, is particularly attractive in the spring. The four metal frogs that decorate the rim of the main circular fountain gave the tiny cloister, which lies behind the church, its name. Each frog shoots a little jet of water toward the basin's Centre. The cloister features five terracotta arches on each side supported by columns and caps made of marble with Renaissance-inspired designs.
The Bramantesque Tribune
The Bramantesque Tribune features a hemispherical dome perched on pendentives above a huge cubed area. The design with black circular motifs on white plaster extends from the oculi at the top up to the central round of the lantern. The Bramantesque Tribune clearly showcases some of the main features of the architectural style at the beginning of the Renaissance period.
History of The Last Supper in Milan
The duke of Milan Ludovico Sforza, commissioned Leonardo da Vinci to paint the Last Supper. Leonardo da Vinci started his work on the Last Supper in Milan at Santa Maria delle Grazie in 1495.
Leonardo da Vinci completes the mural in 1498. Leonardo painted the Last Supper using tempera or oil paint, which is different from how fresco paintings are usually done.
The north wall of the Santa Maria delle Grazie, which features the Last Supper painting, had a wall cut into it, removing Jesus's feet at the bottom of the painting. It also caused the paint and plaster to flake.
The convent's members hired painter Michelangelo Bellotti to restore the Last Supper. Bellotti repainted the damaged artwork with fresh tempera paint and applied a coat of oil that covered the original artwork.
Napoleon led the French forces to seize Milan, where they stationed their troops in the Santa Maria delle Grazie refectory. The troops damaged the Last Supper by Leonardo during this period.
Early in the 19th century, there was a flood in Milan, which caused mold to grow and severely damaged the Last Supper painting.
A bomb dropped by the Royal Air Force on Santa Maria delle Grazie at the apex of the Second World War in Italy destroyed the roof and walls of the refectory. Sandbags and pillows shielded the Last Supper, preventing the masterpiece from getting completely destroyed. While the painting was not destroyed, it was left in the open during the reconstruction, leading to further deterioration.
Pelliccioli focused on reversing the restoration work done in the 18th century and returning the artwork to its original condition. During the work done by Pelliccioli, he brought back the artwork's original details that had been lost as a result of the many years of degradation.
To maintain the painting and repair the harm done by dirt and pollution, Pinin Brambilla Barcilon oversaw a massive restoration job. The refectory was converted into a sealed, climate-controlled space to prevent further damage to the Last Supper painting.
Last Supper Tickets & Tours
Frequently Asked Questions About Last Supper in Milan
A. The Last Supper is located at the Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.
A. You can book your Last Supper tickets online.
A. Last Supper tickets start from €49.
A. The Last Supper in Milan was painted by renaissance artist, Leonardo da Vinci.
The Last Supper painting is open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday from 8.15 AM. to 7 PM and on Sundays from 2 PM to 7 PM.
A. Yes. You can book Last Supper skip-the-line entry tickets.
A. Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper in Milan is one of the most famous paintings in the world is is definitely worth a visit.
A. The Self-Guided Audio Tour of Santa Maria delle Grazie to see the Last Supper in Milan starts from €3.50.
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