Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Peru
Uruguay
Germany
Belgium
Spain
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Ireland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
Switzerland
Museum · Milão, Lombardia
Cenacolo Vinciano
The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, painted on the refectory wall of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Visits are in small groups and require advance reservation.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Cenacolo Vinciano
The Cenacolo Vinciano is the former refectory of the Dominican friars of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Leonardo da Vinci painted the Last Supper between 1494 and 1498, at the request of Duke Ludovico Sforza, the Moor. The scene shows the moment when Jesus announces that one of the apostles will betray him, and each figure reacts differently.
Leonardo did not use the fresco technique, which requires painting quickly on wet plaster. He worked on the dry wall, using tempera and oil so he could retouch at leisure. That caused the painting to deteriorate early. In 1943 a bombing destroyed part of the refectory, but the wall with the work, protected with sandbags, remained standing. A long restoration was completed in 1999.
To protect the painting, visits are conducted in small groups, with the stay limited to about 15 minutes, after passing through air-filtering chambers. On the opposite wall is the Crucifixion by Donato da Montorfano, painted in 1495.
Timed reservations are mandatory and places sell out quickly: tickets are released in monthly blocks, so keep an eye on the official channel. Next door, the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, with Bramante's tribune, can be visited separately. The complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 15 minutes in front of the painting; arrive 20 to 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Allow 30 minutes for the church.
Best time
Any reserved time works, because the number of visitors is controlled. The challenge is getting a reservation: try as soon as tickets for the period go on sale.
How to get there
Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie. Metro M1 (red), Conciliazione or Cadorna stations, or M2 (green), Cadorna station, about a 10-minute walk. Tram 16 stops nearby.
Tip
If single tickets are sold out, look for the official guided tours, which sometimes still have availability. Check that the name on the ticket matches the ID, if requested. Large bags go to the left-luggage.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Cenacolo Vinciano
Do you need to reserve to see The Last Supper?
Yes. A timed reservation is mandatory and usually sells out weeks in advance. Check the official channel as soon as ticket sales for the period open.
How long can I stay in front of the painting?
About 15 minutes. Time is limited to protect the work, and groups enter in shifts.
Can I take photos?
Photo rules change from time to time; generally, flash is not allowed. Confirm at the entrance.
Is the church next door also visitable?
Yes, Santa Maria delle Grazie has its own entrance and is open to visitors outside Mass times. The tribune is the work of Donato Bramante.