Hotels near Last Supper / Santa Maria delle Grazie

Few works of art carry the cultural weight of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper, housed in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. Painted between 1495 and 1498, this mural-sized tempera and oil work on a prepared wall surface remains one of the most visited and studied paintings in the world.

The Painting and Its Setting

Unlike a traditional fresco, Leonardo applied tempera and oil directly onto a dry plaster wall, which allowed for greater detail but made the work vulnerable to deterioration. The result is a composition of remarkable psychological depth — each of the twelve apostles reacts distinctly to Christ's announcement that one of them will betray him. The painting spans approximately 9 by 4.6 metres and dominates the north wall of the former Dominican convent's dining hall. Santa Maria delle Grazie itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized alongside the mural in 1980.

Visiting the Site

Access is strictly controlled to protect the artwork's fragile condition. Groups of up to 25 visitors are admitted every 15 minutes, with each visit lasting exactly that long. Tickets must be booked well in advance — often months ahead during peak season — through the official reservation system. Photography without flash is permitted inside the viewing room. The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, with its elegant Renaissance apse designed by Donato Bramante, can be visited separately.

Practical Tips

• Book tickets as early as possible via the official website or authorized operators
• Arrive 10–15 minutes before your time slot; late arrivals may forfeit entry
• Combine your visit with nearby Sforza Castle, Navigli, or La Scala for a full day in central Milan
• The site is accessible by Metro Line 1 (Cadorna stop)

FAQ

Q: How far in advance should I book tickets? A: Booking two to three months ahead is strongly recommended, especially for spring and summer visits.

Q: Is The Last Supper a fresco? A: No. Leonardo used tempera and oil on dry plaster rather than the traditional wet-plaster fresco technique.

Q: How long is the visit? A: Each timed entry slot lasts exactly 15 minutes inside the viewing room.

Q: Can I visit Santa Maria delle Grazie without a Last Supper ticket? A: Yes. The church itself is open to visitors independently of the refectory where the painting is housed.