Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie e Convento dei Domenicani con l'Ultima Cena di Leonardo da Vinci, Renaissance church and Dominican convent in Milan, Italy
The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is a Renaissance complex featuring a distinctive dome and several internal courtyards. The refectory of the attached convent houses a famous 15th-century wall painting by an Italian master.
In the 15th century, a nobleman donated land where Dominican friars later established a religious community. The project developed over decades under different architects and became deeply influential in shaping Milan's appearance.
The refectory displays one of the world's most famous wall paintings, showing Jesus' last meal with his disciples. The room itself becomes a space of quiet reflection where visitors directly experience the power of this artwork.
Access to the refectory requires advance booking, as only small groups can enter at the same time. Visitors should allow time to reach the site and have realistic expectations about waiting.
The wall painting was not made using classical fresco technique, but rather with an experimental method on dry surface. This technique caused the artwork to suffer continuous wear and deterioration, requiring extensive restoration efforts over centuries.
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