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.

I did not get to enter because I arrived just as they were closing for a few hours and I couldn't…read morewait. But the quick glimpse I saw before they kicked me out was beautiful.

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

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.

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.

The Duomo was truly breathtaking and incredibly intricate. We spent a long time admiring the…read moredetails. We purchased the terrace access via stairs for 15 euro each for 9:30 am. I recommend showing up earlier in the morning to avoid the crowds. There are different entrances depending on the ticket you purchase. The staircase is narrow and the turns are quick and can feel a little claustrophobic. Every part of the Duomo is worth taking a moment to take it in.

Magical and a must visit if you are in the city of Milan…read more Be sure to secure a reservation online and print out the tickets or you can just open your phone to scan your QR code. You can buy tickets the day of, but the lines were so long. I wouldn't recommend it! You don't want to spend your day waiting in line. Reserving a time slot online was soooo easy!! People who secure online can bypass the line by simply walking towards the BACK. There will be a lot of workers to help guide you. Before going into the cathedral, there is a restroom to use but for a fee. 2 euros per person and I paid with a credit card. Wear comfortable walking shoes. The cathedral is not stroller friendly and it is not handicap friendly so keep that in mind. You will have to walk up and down stairs. Very manageable! Give yourself time to enjoy the cathedral in all the angles!

This is what we love while traveling, finding a gem that has no tourists. Simpliciano is just far…read moreenough off the beaten path that you'll see very few tourists if any. The mysterious dimly lit interior and richly dark flooring are unmistakable. A few panes of stained glass illuminate the church. Most incredibly, the structure has stood since AD 400.

Basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore is one of the oldest churches in Milan. Located on Corso di Porta…read moreTicinese you will find a row of Roman columns, Colonne di San Lorenzo, lining the street with a large paved courtyard between columns and church. Together, they make up an important historical Roman complex, the columns possibly being part of a Roman bath built in the third century. A statue of Emperor Constantine is located in the Piazza. The Basilica is built over the site of a temple to the god Hercules, the church structure was originally constructed between the third and fifth centuries. Throughout the proceeding years much ruin has befallen the original structure including fires and structural collapses requiring the structure to be rebuilt and repaired. This is a large complex so wander around a bit to be sure you see it all. Cardinal Carlo Borromeo ordered the dome rebuilt in an octagonal lantern design after another collapse in 1573. This is the design you see today. The front of the church was built in the nineteenth century based on plans developed in the sixteenth century by the same architect who built the dome. The interior includes beautiful paintings, stone work, marble details throughout including intricate inlaid floors and fourteenth century mosaics in the (chapel) Capella di Sant'Aquilino. The pipe organ was built in 1840 and many beautiful side chapels include burial chambers and historic works of art. In 1585 a sick woman was miraculously healed while in front of the painting Madonna del Latte which at the time was displayed outside the church. In 1626 the painting was moved to the high altar of the Basilica where it remains today. Some restoration to interior chapel walls have necessitated the removal/covering of old murals. When possible, small areas remain showing the vibrancy and detail of design. Behind the church is open park area with grass, walking paths and benches. You can see the Basilica from Porta Ticinese - one of the ancient city gates that were once part of the ancient city wall. A metro stop, bus stop and trolley stop are all in the area. Your map can direct you to the correct line. The Basilica is close enough to walk from the Naviglio Grande area up a narrow street lined with shops and restaurants and trolley tracks running down the middle.

This stunning church at the center of the city is well worth the stop. Inside, some amazing 14th…read moreand 15th century paintings, an amazing architecture and absolutely wonderful altarpiece. I visited several churches in Milan. This was definitely one of the lovelier ones. [Review 10669 overall, 437 of 2019.]

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.

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.

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.