Let’s start with the bottom line: it is not the most impressive church in Italy and Milan, but it still falls into the category of a must-visit, and for a straightforward reason: within the walls of this church, you can see the famous murals in the world – the Last Supper of Leonardo da Vinci.
The Church of Santa Maria Della Grazia is a church and a Dominican monastery. The dome has been declared a world cultural heritage site by the UNESCO organization (the only one in Milan). The building is considered the masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance, and one of the architect was Donato Bramante.
The complex is beautiful and has an impressive inner courtyard and changing exhibitions. Still, as mentioned, the main point of interest in this remarkable building is one mural that everyone knows: Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. In the spectacular painting, da Vinci depicts the Passover meal of Jesus with his apostles, the last meal of his life, before he was crucified. Jesus is sitting in the center of the table, and Judas Iscariot and the apostles are next to him.
Entrance to Santa Maria della Grazia is entirely free. But if you want to see the mural of the Last Supper with your own eyes, you will have to pay an entrance fee. Because the room with the famous painting can accommodate only 25 people at a time, it is advisable to make a reservation in advance – weeks or even months, if you are coming during the tourist season. Those who cannot order a ticket (the price is 8 euros) will be able to see the painting anyway by joining a tour by an external company.
