Last Supper Guided Visits

Guided Visits to the Last Supper

A guided tour of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece "The Last Supper" in Milan offers an unparalleled opportunity to appreciate one of the world's most significant artistic achievements. Located in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, this fragile 15th-century mural benefits tremendously from expert interpretation. Professional guides provide crucial historical context about Leonardo's innovative techniques, the symbolism embedded within the composition, and the painstaking restoration efforts that have preserved this cultural treasure. Visitors gain insights into the painting's revolutionary perspective, the dramatic psychological portrayals of the apostles, and Leonardo's mysterious working methods that would have remained hidden to the untrained eye.

Tickets cost €25 for full admission for the guided visit (with discounts available for EU citizens aged 18-25), plus an additional €3.50 reservation fee. Tours last approximately 15 minutes, with groups entering at precisely scheduled intervals throughout operating hours (Tuesday-Sunday, 8:15 AM to 7:00 PM, closed Mondays). Due to strict preservation protocols limiting daily visitors, advance booking is essential—often months ahead, particularly during peak tourist seasons.

Find a guided visit to the Last Supper

Guided tour of the Last Supper

4.5

5,000+ reviews

Enjoy a guided tour to this incredible masterpiece to know all the necessary context behind its history to appreciate it to the fullest. You will get a full tour of Santa Maria delle Grazie church and 15 minutes in the refectory to admire Leonardo's popular masterpiece.

Includes

  • Skip-the-line access
  • Professional guide
  • Free cancellation

Best price:

€58,90

Book now

Guided tour of the Last Supper + Walking tour of Milan

4.7

5,000+ reviews

Includes

  • Skip-the-line access
  • Professional guide
  • 2-hours walking tour of Milan
  • Free cancellation

Best price:

€90

Book now

Guided tour of the Last Supper + Duomo

4.7

1,200+ reviews

Includes

  • Skip-the-line access to both attractions
  • Professional guide
  • Free cancellation

Best price:

€94,50

Book now

Last Supper Guided Visits

Guided Visit

The regular guided visit of the Last Supper will take you to Leonardo's masterpiece for the allotted time frame and the guide will give you a thorough explanation of the work, while allowing you to ask any question you might have, for an unforgettable educational experience.

Masterclass Visit

This particular experience costs 21€ on top of the regular ticket and it includes the guided visit and a VR experience that will take you to the streets of Milan escorted by the Duke of Milan, Ludovico il Moro, to immerse yourselves in the atmosphere of Leonardo's time.

Combo visits

These visits are only available through third-party operators, like the ones listed above, and will allow you to visit the Last Supper with a guided tour as well as other important attractions in Milan, like the Sforza Castle, the Duomo, and many others. This will allow you to get a comprehensive understanding of the impact of Renaissance in Milan with a competent guide that will link every major monument and give you the necessary context to understand the evolution of the city through time.

Plan your visit to the Last Supper

Opening hours

The Last Supper opening hours are the same throughout the year, Tuesday to Sunday.

Museum: 8:15 AM to 7:00 PM

Ticket office: 8:00 AM to 6:45 PM

The last entrance to the Last Supper is 15 minutes before closing time.

Visit duration

The visit to the Last Supper is timed for preservation, so it will last 15 minutes.

Location

The Last Supper is located inside Santa Maria delle Grazie church, in Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 2, 20123 Milano.

Google Map Directions

Entrance

The main entrance to the Museum is the one mentioned above. But before entering, you have to go through the ticketing kiosk, approximately 10 meters to the left of the main entrance, to have your IDs checked and to leave any luggage or big bags you might have.

Food

While the Last Supper is painted in a refectory, only painted figures are allowed to eat inside! But the Museum is in the center of Milan, so you will find plenty of opportunities to taste great food nearby.

Services

There are lockers to leave large bags and luggage, which are forbidden inside, as well as bathrooms, a bookshop, and multilingual leaflets to provide information to visitors.

The Last Supper Museum is near the city center of Milan, with many attractions at walking distance, like the Sforza Castle and the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio. If you're interested in a comprehensive list, check out our article about things to do in Milan!

If you want to dive deeper in the artistic side of things, you can opt for a visit to the Duomo or a tour of La Scala theater.

Whereas, if you want to find out where the locals spend their evenings, a Navigli Canals tour is definitely the right choice!

But the nature outside the city is not to be overlooked! Take a day trip to Lake Como and find out for yourself why many of the rich and famous choose it as a place of vacation.

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About the Last Supper

Leonardo da Vinci painted the Last Supper between 1495 and 1498. Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, commissioned this work for the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The Duke aimed to enhance his family's reputation and demonstrate his devotion.
Leonardo's innovative approach combined oil and tempera on drywall, which diverged from traditional fresco techniques. This choice allowed for greater detail but made the painting vulnerable to deterioration over time. Despite these challenges, Leonardo's skill in depicting emotion and narrative detail in this work remains unparalleled.

The Last Supper Highlights

The fresco

The Last Supper holds profound significance in the religious and cultural milieu of the 15th century. During this period, the Renaissance was in full bloom, characterized by a renewed interest in classical antiquity, humanism, and artistic innovation.Leonardo’s depiction of Christ’s final meal with his apostles captures a pivotal biblical moment, emphasizing human emotions and betraying the dramatic tension of the event. This painting resonated deeply with contemporary viewers, reflecting Renaissance ideals of realism and individual expression.

Located in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, the Last Supper was intended to enhance the spiritual ambience of the dining hall. The convent was an important religious establishment, making it a fitting backdrop for such a significant work.

Interesting facts about the Last Supper

Composition and Perspective

Leonardo da Vinci masterfully arranged the apostles in a single line on one side of the table. Christ is the focal point, positioned at the center, with his outstretched arms forming a triangle, symbolizing stability and divinity.

Using linear perspective, da Vinci directs your gaze towards Jesus. The vanishing point just above Christ's head heightens this effect, creating depth and realism. This organization emphasizes the dramatic reaction of the apostles, who are grouped in dynamic clusters of three, each reacting to Christ's declaration of betrayal.

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Use of Lighting and Chiaroscuro

Da Vinci used the interplay of light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro, to add volume and three-dimensionality to the figures. The illumination appears to come from the window behind Christ, symbolizing his divine nature and highlighting his central role.

This lighting technique enhances the emotional intensity, making the figures appear more lifelike. The contrast between light and dark not only models the forms but also draws your attention to key elements, like the expressions and gestures of the apostles, underscoring their varied emotional responses.

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Influence on Art and Pop Culture

The Last Supper has had a profound influence on both traditional and contemporary art. Its composition, featuring Jesus at the center with apostles arranged symmetrically on either side, has been widely imitated and referenced.

This iconic imagery extends beyond the art world. It appears in literature, cinema, and even advertising. The painting's depiction of human emotion has made it a subject of numerous studies and interpretations, including conspiracy theories and symbolic analyses. Its presence in popular culture elevates its status, making it not just a masterpiece of Renaissance art but a lasting symbol in global consciousness. You can explore further about its rich history and ongoing conservation efforts through various sources.

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Conservation and Restoration

Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper has endured severe damage due to environmental factors and flawed restoration techniques. By the 16th century, the work had already suffered from humidity and flaking. In the subsequent centuries, various attempts to restore the painting often exacerbated the damage. In the 18th century, early restorers used substances like glue and varnish that weakened the original pigment. This caused more peeling and discoloration.

Modern conservation efforts for The Last Supper have been more methodical and scientifically informed. The most extensive restoration took place between 1978 and 1999, lasting 21 years. Conservators removed previous restoration materials and revealed Leonardo’s original brushwork.

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