Last Supper

The Last Supper, the looks of the apostles and the "motions of the soul"

There is authentic mystery in the Last Supper that Leonardo created between 1494 and 1498, a period in which the Tuscan artist stayed for a long time in Lombardy. Without bothering Dan Brown and his secret "codes", Leonardo's masterpiece miraculously survived despite a troubled history to say the least, which risked being irremediably destroyed together with the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan which hosts it. A sign of destiny, a prodigy for a work that immediately aroused the wonder of contemporaries and still leaves us speechless today. One of the wonders of Italian art that visitors passing through Milan cannot miss to see and VisiItaly give to you all the news to book your visit at the Leonardo's Last Supper.

But why is the Last Supper so loved and universally recognized as a world heritage of art? First of all for the expressive refinement of the 12 painted apostles, each of whom expressed with their own gestures and grimaces the "motions of the soul", as Leonardo himself liked to define them. Then there is the technical choice of creating a dry mural, much more fragile than a traditional fresco. Also noteworthy is the trompe-l'oeil effect due to the design of the roof with the three upper lunettes, demonstrating the mastery that the Tuscan genius had of Renaissance painting techniques.

The visit to the Cenacolo Vinciano, useful information

Reservation is mandatory. Accessing a place as evocative as it is fragile is a pressing necessity to preserve a unique site in the world and one of the most famous in the history of art: the refectory - or Cenacle - which preserves the mural of the Last Supper of Jesus with his apostles. A fragility that we try to safeguard with limited numbers of visitors allowed, a maximum of 35 for each 15-minute shift and with the doors that lock and unlock to enforce the set limit.

Booking is therefore the only possible solution, choosing carefully the day and time of entry for the visit, otherwise it is useless to go on site in the square of the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie which, right in the center of Milan, houses Leonardo's masterpiece. And do it well in advance, given the growing tourist flows in Milan, always lively and crowded in every season of the year. Online booking is made on the Cenacolo Vinciano website, where it is possible to purchase up to 5 tickets. There is also a telephone call center, with the possibility of requesting up to 9 tickets.

How to get to the Last Supper

We are right in the center of Milan. The Cenacolo Vinciano is located in the refectory of the basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in the small square of the same name which is located along the central Corso Magenta. It can be easily reached by metro (Cadorna stop, red M1 or green M2) or by tram line 16 which runs along Via Magenta from Piazza Duomo towards San Siro (and vice versa).

For those arriving from outside Milan, regional trains of the Trenord lines also arrive at Cadorna station. If you are in the centre, a pleasant walk is advisable, in just over a quarter of an hour you can reach the Last Supper from the Duomo along Via Meravigli and Corso Magenta. Arriving by car is possible but inconvenient, the garage near the Cenacolo is still accessible for 4 euros an hour.

Leonardo's Last Supper, frequently asked questions:

1. How much does the ticket cost to visit the Last Supper?
The price is 15 euros for adults, while children under 18 enter for free. From 18 to 25 years old you are entitled to a reduced ticket which costs just 2 euros.

2. Is a reservation necessary?
Yes, booking is mandatory, online or by telephone. It is advisable to purchase tickets that include multiple experiences and visits to multiple sites and museums in Milan.

3. How do I book online?
The official website where you can purchase up to 5 tickets for the Last Supper is https://cenacolovinciano.vivaticket.it. The calendar page opens and you choose the date and time.

4. And the one at the telephone call center?
The call center answers the number +39 02 92800360 from 8 am to 8 pm, on Saturdays until 2 pm while on Sundays it is not active. It is possible to buy up to 9 tickets by telephone.

5. How long does the visit last?
Fifteen minutes. The time spent inside the Cenacolo is mandatory, but consider that to enter, showing reservation and identity document, you must arrive at least 30 minutes early.

6. Can I take photos of the painting and inside the Last Supper?
No! Lights and flashes damage the work and therefore photography and filming are prohibited.

Leonardo's Last Supper, what to see

From a technical point of view, the Last Supper is not a real fresco, but a dry mural, a risky choice that is as original as it is delicate. Leonardo was aware of this, but he preferred it because it allowed him to modify the painting during the work, something that a traditional fresco, with the plaster that soaks in the colours, did not allow. However, the deterioration of the plaster forced many restoration interventions, the last one 25 years ago giving us back the appearance of the original work. For this reason today the Last Supper must be preserved with a thousand precautions and protected from light, humidity and dust. It is for this fragility that entrances are limited and also minutes for visits.

On the opposite side of the Last Supper there is a traditional fresco, lively in color and rich in details, which make it no less fascinating to the eye. It is the Crucifixion, the work of Giovanni Donato Montorfano who created it in the same years as the Tuscan master, who gave his contribution above all in outlining the faces of some characters, inspired by the family of Ludovico il Moro who had commissioned the Last Supper.

Cenacolo Vinciano and the Last Supper, prices and times

Once you have made your reservation, to access the Last Supper you must show up at the entrance at least 30 minutes before the visit and with a valid identity document: it is mandatory! The full ticket costs 15 euros, the reduced ticket for young people aged 18 to 25 costs only 2 euros, while children under 18 enter for free. The Museo del Cenacolo Vinciano offers, however, richer and more complex visiting experiences, workshops, radio guides, guided tours that allow you to learn about the works in detail and the truly troubled history of the refectory.

The entrance times for the visit are from 8.15am to 7pm (last entry at 6.45pm), from Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday. As mentioned, entrances are limited and no more than 35 visitors are admitted in each 15-minute shift. The Last Supper includes some special days with the evocative evening opening.

Curiosities:

Was the Cenacle a refectory, therefore a canteen?
Yes, it was the canteen of the Dominican friars who managed the current basilica for centuries. The wall had even been used to create the door that led from the kitchen to the refectory! Over time, the Cenacle was used for various uses: barn, warehouse, even armoury.

What damage has the Cenacle suffered over time?
In addition to the neglect of the place and the fragility of the work, during the Second World War, in 1943-44, the complex of Santa Maria delle Grazie was bombed several times and partially destroyed, but the Last Supper managed to survive.

What to see near the Last Supper?
Walking along Corso Magenta you come across various wonders, such as the 17th century Litta theater - the oldest in Milan - and the stumbling blocks of the anti-Jewish persecution, including the one indicating Liliana Segre's paternal home. There are also two splendid churches: San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, at number 15, with its rich frescoes; and Santa Maria presso San Satiro, which is found continuing on via Torino, famous for the perspective that Bramante gave to the choir transept. Not far away are the Milan Cathedral, the Sforzesco Castle and the Brera Art Gallery.

The sentence: “Details make perfection and perfection is not a detail” (Leonardo da Vinci).