Fantastic visit to the Duomo di Milon, or Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Nativity of Saint…read moreMary, during our visit to Italy. It's the largest duomo in Italy (St Peter's is in the Vatican) and we both thought it's the most impressive on the outside. The history of the duomo is fascinating as you will learn about its construction on the tour. BTW, there are basically 3 areas to tour 1) duomo outside and interior 2) exterior roof tour, and an artifacts tour underneath the main floor. Construction began in 1386 and the cathedral wasn't officially completed until the 20th century. The architectural influences in that time are incorporated - medieval, Renaissance and later. Unlike most cathedrals, you can walk extensively across the roof during the roof tour between the flying buttresses, and pinnacles. The roof has 135 spires and thousands of statues, making the exterior astounding! At the top of the central spire stands the famous golden statue of the Virgin Mary, the symbol of Milan. The interior is very unique as well. One of the most unusual features - an astronomical clock built in 1786!At solar noon, sunlight passing through a tiny opening creates a spot of light on the line, allowing the cathedral's astronomers to determine true solar noon. Check it out - you will be glad you did!

Beautiful architecture, inside and out. The inside was busy but I was lucky enough to go during…read moreSunday mass, which probably accounted for half the people in there. I had to leave for another experience and came back later to see the Crypt. Some of the staff gave me a hard time about coming back in, wondering why I needed to leave even though I explained I didn't want to wait for 2 hours in the cathedral. I was able to visit the Crypt, which is only open for a short while. It's a beautiful experience if you're able to fit it in. Taking photos inside the Crypt is prohibited. Outside is very busy so be cautious of pick pockets and scammers...they are everywhere. Toilets are available to one side but for a fee.

Most people come to Milan for the fashion and to see the Duomo di Milano, but my main reason?…read moreConnecting with my Christian roots and seeing The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. This painting is known all over the world--whether you're religious or not, it's hard to NOT know this painting. Seeing it in person is just as breathtaking as expected. Highly recommend: set your calendar and book tickets at the earliest time 3 months in advance! Though you can hire a tour guide, I didn't find it necessary, since I found everything I needed to know about the Last Supper via AI. Since tickets are strictly timed, show up a bit earlier than your slot. Tickets allot a 15-minute viewing time. Once the 15-minutes are up, you WILL be escorted as a group out to allow for the next group.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must visit in Milan!! It houses the masterpiece of Leonardo da…read moreVinci's The Last Supper painting in the refectory. The church is gorgeous. It's quieter and more peaceful compared to the city center. We came mostly for The Last Supper painting. We booked our tickets months in advance through Get Your Guide. Our tour guide was awesome and we got to know the history of the church and the materials used by Leonardo da Vinci in his paintings. When you get inside the refectory, they only let a small number of people inside for 15 minutes at a time. Once your time is up, you exit while the next group comes in for their 15 minutes. And the same process repeats itself. Just know that there is a no flash policy when taking pictures of The Last Supper to preserve the paining.

This is one of the most beautiful churches I have seen in Italy…read more Considered the "Sistine Chapel" of Milano, San Maurizio is overwhelmingly blessed with walls and ceilings decorated by one of the masters of frescoes Bernardino Luini and his sons. Entering through the doorway of the Archeological Museum, you walk to the left to the entrance. Once inside, your eyes are mesmerized by the frescoes of men and women dressed in flowing robes as appropriate in the mid-1500s. There is a huge organ on the second floor looming over wooden choir seats. The frescoes are on a wall separating the church where the general masses sit and the hidden portion of the church where nuns par tipster in the service. The towards the back are frescoes from passages of the Bible such as Noah's Ark, the passion of Christ, etc. The volume of art was spectacular. Having just been restored the color are so freshr-looking you could be looking at the scenes as they would have appeared when the Master artists finished their work. Entrance is free but please do tmake a donation to support this incredible treasure.

The Duomo is Milan's most beautiful church by exterior, but he has a competitor for the most…read morebeautiful church by interior: San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, a former nunnery! Behind a virtually nonexistence facade, San Maurizio hides perhaps one of the most ornate church interiors and can actually compete with the famous Sistine Chapel. From the moment you step in the door - assuming you finally find the right door - you will be awed by the incredibly colorful paintings that surround you! Despite being in a small room, the vast amount of the beautiful paintings can spell-bind you for a while. Additionally, for the first time in history, you as a public member can finally pass through the partition wall into the previously restricted nunnery hall! Like the public worship hall across the wall, the nunnery hall is also filled with paintings. However, while the worship hall paintings are intended to awe the public the divine grace with vibrant colors, the nunnery hall paintings intend to invoke piety with serenely-colored examples of female saints. You can admire for a few minutes or examine for hours, but this church is certainly a sight that you should not miss! Did I miss it's free to enter? --- tl;dr version: 1) Perhaps Milan's most beautiful interior 2) Small spaces that are filled with marvelous paintings 3) Free sight that should not be missed

Best known for its Ossuary, a small side chapel with high walls that is almost all entirely…read moredecorated with human bones. The origin story is a cemetery was running out of room and bones started to get stored in this small chapel, it continued to be added to and decorated with human remains. They are all arranged decoratively and form patterns, the most interesting ones to me are the giant crosses on opposing walls. It's macabre and not for everyone but it was one of the first destinations I want to go to. The good thing is they open at 8am for early risers and its a good way to avoid the inventible crowds in this tiny room. From the main church you turn left down a dark hallway to get to the Ossuary. The entrance is small and people will crowd around as this is the main attratcion. Outside on the right side is another large church you can go into, the lighting is insane and the time I went light happened to be falling quietly and elegantly on some empty chairs. This church is HUGE and much larger than it appears on the outside. Getting in is kind of confusing since they doors aren't open and aren't clearly marked but worth checking out as well.

San Bernardino alle Ossa is known for having an Ossuary Chapel clad in human bones. This was by far…read morethe craziest thing I saw in Milan, and I would highly recommend checking it out. This church of medieval origin stands on the site of an ancient cemetery. It was rebuilt several times (it was destroyed by the collapse of the old bell tower of Santo Stefano in 1642 and by fire in 1712). The building, designed by Carlo Giuseppe Merlo, was finished in 1754. It has a central floor plan and a dome with elliptical oculi. An atrium leads to the Ossuary Chapel, a square chamber with frescoed ceiling whose every architectural detail is clad in human bones. There must be thousands of former human beings in there... I can't confirm if this is true, but allegedly, the bones are from people who died of the plague.

Chiesa di San Francesco di Paola is a Baroque Roman Catholic Church in Milan…read more The interior is richly decorated with images from the ceiling to the altars. The main altar features a Madonna and child. The ceiling fresco shows the Assumption of the Virgin. A nice church to visit in Milan.

A must see when you're in Milan! The church is beautiful in itself, but it also houses one of the…read morebiggest renaissance masterpieces in the world. Make sure to buy tickets in advance since they are not sold onsite. Be aware and respectful of the dress code guidelines. The Last Supper is stunning! There's something about this experience that touches the soul and renders one speechless.

Absolutely stunning! You must book a ticket in advance as there is no possible way to buy tickets…read moreon site. Well worth the hassle of getting the ticket.

An astonishingly beautiful church located near the university. Access through the courtyard is…read moresomewhat hard to find. Once inside you will be rewarded for the fort as you take in beautiful paintings and tile work. Always look up! Many of the cul de sacs have coin operated lights. Pay the money as the lighting is designed to accent the best features. Pause and pray for your needs as He is always there for you.

Well worth the ride over to see this historic 4th century church, ancient, but still quite lovely…read more It had a refurbish back in the 12th century or so. The name of this church happens to be the same name as the church I grew up at in Michigan and went through catechism, what a great coincidence. This basilica is adorned with regal columns, frescoes, paintings and intricate carvings. What a great place for pure serenity and quiet from the outside world for a spell. Basilicas like this are a great demonstration of the historic past of this city and what was important to the people back during the 4th-12th century.

This church is next to the museum, where you can easily walk by and take a quick visit. Although I…read morewouldn't highly recommend this one considering there are so many churches here, and you don't have to make a specific trip just for this church.