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The Last Supper in Milan
米兰《最后的晚餐》 · Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy
Leonardo's masterpiece, painted around 1495–1498 on the north wall of the refectory at Santa Maria delle Grazie, captures the moment after Jesus announces that one of his disciples will betray him, with the twelve reacting in four groups of three.
Know before you go
- Do not break the on-site rules on photography and filming
- do not arrive late, as you may be refused entry
- do not touch the walls or exhibits
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
A painting that survived repeated damage
By 1517 the painting had begun to flake; in 1652 a doorway was cut through the lower part of the by then barely recognizable image. In 1796 French troops used the refectory as an armory and stable. On 15 August 1943 Allied bombing struck the refectory, but sandbags placed beforehand kept bomb splinters from hitting the painting.
History
A restoration of more than twenty years
From 1978 to 1999 the restorer Pinin Brambilla Barcilon led a major restoration project. On 28 May 1999 the painting was shown to the public again. Since then, to protect it, visits must be booked and each visit lasts only 15 minutes.
Source: Wikipedia: The Last Supper (Leonardo); Official site: Cenacolo Vinciano
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The Last Supper (Il Cenacolo / L'Ultima Cena) is on a wall of the former refectory of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. Painted around 1495–1498 and measuring 460 × 880 centimeters, it covers the north wall of the refectory and shows the moment after Jesus announces that one of the twelve disciples will betray him, with each of the twelve reacting differently. On the opposite wall is Montorfano's Crucifixion fresco. It was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, as part of the rebuilding plan for the church and convent. Leonardo did not use traditional fresco technique but painted in tempera on a ground of plaster, pitch and mastic; because of this and the damp, it began flaking soon after completion — flaking was already visible by 1517, and in 1556 Vasari described it as a mere "muddle of blots". The church was still under construction at the time; its apse and dome are sometimes attributed to Bramante's design, but the extent of his involvement is disputed.
Local customs
- Book ahead and enter the refectory at your allotted time
- in the visit of about 15 minutes, look closely at the four groups of three disciples and the perspective composition. Note the traces where a doorway was once cut through the lower part and later blocked. Visit the church interior and cloister of Santa Maria delle Grazie and see the apse and dome traditionally attributed to Bramante. Before and after the visit, stroll the nearby streets and take in the atmosphere of Milan's old town.
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Rome's Spanish Steps: no sitting, eating or drinking
Do
- Walk up the steps and keep moving after your photo
Don’t
- Sitting, resting, eating or drinking on the steps
Banned by Rome's urban police regulations since 2019; media report fines of €250, rising to €400 for dirtying or damaging the steps.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: ANSA: Rome bans sitting on the Spanish Steps (2019)
Don’t DON'T
- Do not break the on-site rules on photography and filming
- do not arrive late, as you may be refused entry
- do not touch the walls or exhibits
Locals appreciate DO
- Keep quiet inside the refectory
- arrive punctually for your booked time
- dress appropriately in the church
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Visits run on a booking system with limited numbers and time slots, so be sure to book ahead
- popular slots often sell out well in advance. For ticket prices and release dates, check official information. Visiting time is limited, so it helps to study the composition and the grouping of the disciples beforehand and go straight to the key details on arrival. It is in central Milan, reached by metro or tram to nearby stops and then on foot, and the streets around the church are good for exploring nearby sights on foot.
- It can be visited all year round, and indoor visits are unaffected by weather. Spring and autumn bring pleasant weather in Milan, suited to strolling the old town
- in summer and on holidays competition for bookings is fiercer, so plan even earlier.
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