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The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, also known as the Last Supper, is a work of art that transcends time and captures the imagination of millions of visitors each year. Located in the heart of Milan, this Renaissance masterpiece is a visual enigma that continues to fascinate and intrigue viewers centuries after its creation.
Yet despite its worldwide fame, it remains an elusive treasure. Strict preservation regulations and enormous demand for visits make access to this work no small feat.
But fear not, dear art lovers and curious travelers! In this comprehensive guide, we reveal how to best organize your visit to this extraordinary Milanese masterpiece.
What the Last Supper depicts and what makes it unique
The Cenacolo Vinciano is not just a painting, it is an artistic revolution crystallized on the wall of an ancient refectory. Created between 1494 and 1498, this monumental fresco has impressive measurements: 460 x 880 cm. In fact, it occupies an entire wall of the Milanese convent where it is kept.
It is unique because, in painting it, Leonardo da Vinci twisted the traditional depiction of the Last Supper. Instead of a static scene, the Florentine genius captured the dramatic moment when Jesus announces his betrayal, unleashing a storm of emotion among the apostles. The masterful use of perspective, the psychological depth of the characters, and the experimental technique used by Leonardo make this work unique in art history.
Unfortunately, it was precisely this innovative technique that made the painting extremely fragile, requiring restoration work over the centuries. The latest restoration, an epic undertaking that lasted from 1979 to 1999, brought back the original colors and hidden details, allowing us to admire the work in all its Renaissance splendor.
Where is Leonardo’s original cenacle in Milan?
The Last Supper by Leonardo is located in a place that is itself an architectural gem: the Santa Maria delle Grazie complex in Milan. The Last Supper adorns the north wall of the refectory of the former Dominican convent, creating a silent but powerful dialogue with Giovanni Donato da Montorfano’s Crucifixion on the opposite wall.
But the magic does not end there. The basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie, with its Bramante interventions, is a masterpiece in itself. Donato Bramante, a contemporary of Leonardo, left his indelible mark by enlarging the church with semicircular apses and building the marvelous dome with columned tiburium. The small cloister and sacristy complete this architectural ensemble of rare beauty.
Address: Museo del Cenacolo Vinciano – Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 2, 20123 Milan.
How much does a ticket cost to see Leonardo’s Last Supper
Visiting the Cenacolo Vinciano is an experience that requires planning and adherence to some basic rules. Did you know that reservations open quarterly? That is: in March, reservations open for May, June and July; in June for August, September and October; in September for November, December and January: and in December for February, March and April.
That’s how much a ticket costs:
- Full (25 and older): €15
- Reduced (18 to 25 years old): 2€
- Free: under 18 years of age
Free admission days
For budget-conscious art lovers, the first Sundays of the month offer a golden opportunity: free admission to the Cenacolo Vinciano.
Free tickets are available online from the preceding Wednesday at 12:00 noon, are nominal, and a maximum of 5 can be reserved. No groups are accepted on these occasions and no guided tours or workshops are available.
Am I entitled to visit the Cenacle for free or with a reduced ticket?
The Italian Ministry of Culture offers several concessions to make art accessible to everyone. Among the categories that enjoy free admission are:
- EU citizens under the age of 18.
- People with disabilities and an accompanying person.
- EU tour guides in the practice of their profession.
- Teachers and students of specific arts and humanities faculties.
The reduced ticket at €2 is reserved for young people aged 18-25 from EU countries and some non-EU countries with reciprocity agreements.
Visiting Rules.
- Reservations are always required (even for infants and on free admission days).
- Tickets are nominal.
- You will have only 15 minutes to admire the work.
- You must arrive 30 minutes before the reserved time if you do not want to miss your turn.
- You can purchase a maximum of 5 tickets within the calendar year.
- You cannot change the date and time after purchase.
Do you finally have a free day and would like to buy your ticket directly at the Upper Room Museum? Unfortunately, we must warn you that buying tickets locally is virtually impossible. Online sold-out is the norm, so best to book well in advance!
Check the official website regularly for new availability and keep in mind that additional tickets for the following week are released every Wednesday at 12:00 noon.
Visiting hours and duration
The Museo del Cenacolo Vinciano opens Tuesday through Sunday: 8:15 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (last admission 6:45 p.m.).
And closed: every Monday, January 1, May 1, December 25.
Each round of visiting lasts 15 minutes, with a maximum of 25 people at a time.
The “Plus” Experience: Masterclasses and Workshops.
For art lovers who wish to deepen their knowledge of the Last Supper by Vinciano and the art-historical context in which it was created, the Museum offers a series of enriched experiences that go beyond a simple visit. These opportunities allow visitors to fully immerse themselves in the world of Leonardo da Vinci and the Milanese Renaissance.
Thematic Masterclasses
Masterclasses are in-depth lectures given by experts in the field that illuminate different aspects of Leonardo’s work and life. For example:
“Happy Birthday, Leonardo!”
This masterclass, available in Italian at 10:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., and in English at 9:45 a.m. and 2:15 p.m., focuses on the historical figure of Leonardo da Vinci. It explores the artist’s journey from his arrival in Milan at the age of 30 to the creation of the Last Supper, considered the pinnacle of his Milanese career. It lasts 45 minutes and costs €9, including microphone, in addition to the cost of the entrance ticket.
“Milan in the Time of Leonardo.”
This immersive experience, available in both Italian and English, lasts 75 minutes and costs 21€ (microphone included, in addition to the entrance fee). Using VR visor technology, participants can “walk” through the streets of Renaissance Milan, exploring the city as Leonardo and Duke Ludovico il Moro would have seen it.
Guided Tours
For those who prefer a detailed explanation during the visit, guided tours in Italian are available at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily. The cost is €25 for the guided tour, which includes not only exploration of the Last Supper but also the church and cloister of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Laboratory Visits
These experiences combine a guided tour with a hands-on activity, allowing visitors to experience firsthand the techniques used by Leonardo. Available Tuesday through Sunday at 11:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., they last 75 minutes: 15 minutes in the refectory to admire the Last Supper and 60 minutes of activity in the workshop, experiencing one of the techniques or tools used by Leonardo. The cost is €13 per person, including microphone. Tours are bilingual, in both Italian and English.
Is it worth visiting the Cenacolo Vinciano?
The answer is a resounding and passionate “Yes!” Leonardo’s Last Supper is a work that speaks to the soul, challenges our perceptions and invites us to reflect on the human condition. Every detail, from the gestures of the apostles to the architectural perspective, is a piece of a masterful puzzle that continues to reveal new secrets with every glance.
Visiting the Cenacolo Vinciano also means immersing oneself in Renaissance Milan, walking in the footsteps of Leonardo and Bramante, and feeling part of a history that continues to influence our present.