Historical Churches Walking Tour (Self Guided), Milan

The Milan Cathedral, otherwise known as the Duomo, is the seat of the Archbishop of Milan and the largest church in Italy (the third largest in Europe and the fourth largest in the world), covering an area of 12,000 sqm and weighing a staggering 325,000 tons!

The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Mary Nascent and has been the epicenter of the city's life since 1386. Its foundation was laid by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, who died in 1402 when only half of the structure had been finished, upon which the construction came to a standstill for almost 80 years because of the lack of funds and ideas. It resumed only in 1500, and by 1510 the octagonal dome was completed – embellished with four series of 15 statues representing different characters from the Bible.

In 1805, Napoleon Bonaparte forced completion of the façade, which overall took another seven years of work. In honor of his efforts, a statue of Napoleon was erected at the top of one of the spires. Later, the Duomo also hosted his crowning ceremony. However, it wasn't until the 20th century, with the completion of the last gate, that the centuries-long construction of the cathedral was finally over, marked by inauguration on January 6, 1965.

A climb to the roof, much as a descend to the Paleo Christian baptistery beneath the west side of the Duomo are the highlights of a visit here. The rooftop offers a closer look at the intricate details of the spires and the gargoyles adorning it, plus a breathtaking view over of the city, some 70 meters above ground, replete with myriads of statues, pinnacles, tracery and flying buttresses. In order to get there, visitors have to traverse 201 stairs up through a winding narrow passageway, which is a bit tiring. Still, those who wish, can spare the effort and use an elevator.

Why You Should Visit:
Milan's one truly must-visit sight – a vast riot of ornate religious sculpture on the exterior, and the interior sublimely huge.

Tip:
Buy an online skip-the-line ticket that covers entry and access to the elevator.
The surrounding piazza comes at its finest at night when the cathedral's façade is lit by white lights.

Located near the Duomo, at the beginning of Via Torino, the shopping street, lies one of Milan's hidden gems: the Church of Saint Mary near Saint Satyrus, with its optically illusional, false apse – an early example of trompe-l'œil, attributed to Donato Bramante.

Founded by Archbishop Ansperto in the 9th century, the church is dedicated to Saint Satyrus, the brother of Saint Ambrose (Milan's patron saint), and was built in the second half of the 15th century to house a miraculous icon: a votive painting of the Madonna and Child.

Due to limited space for building the church, architect Donato Bramante had to devise an illusionistic solution to give the visitor the impression that the apse, which houses the image of the Madonna, is 9.70 meters deep, covered by a barrel vault with coffering. In reality, the apse occupies only 97 centimeters of depth: a painted stucco fake choir creates an optical illusion that is revealed only by standing to the side of the altar.

Though architectural optical illusion was popular in the late Renaissance and Baroque, Bramante gave it an entirely new dimension, with special lighting inside the church was used to help create the desired effect.

Why You Should Visit:
There aren't many places like this in Milan: small, half-hidden, and ready to reveal themselves only to those who know how to discover them.
Entry is free and photos are allowed, so you can easily have a look at the views of its interior. The perspective effect at the end is simply stunning.

Tip:
One of the most beautiful views of the church from the outside is the back, between via Falcone and via Speronari: the chapel of Saint Satyrus, older than the main church and detached from it, is a masterpiece of decorations in terracotta and turrets.

One cannot help but be struck by the seemingly hodgepodge array of towers, lodges, apses and domes that make up this often overlooked architectural landmark. Despite its unconventional appearance, this basilica, established in the 4th century, was actually one of the largest church buildings in all of Europe at the time. The mammoth blocks used for its foundation were taken from other Roman sites, and its interior is uniquely adorned with marble on the lower half and mosaics on the upper.

The chapel, with its octagonal structure, is considered to be one of the most magnificent examples of this style among the remaining Roman octagonal buildings, having played a fundamental role in the history of western art and architecture and having been imitated many times.

A remnant of a Romanesque atrium leads visitors to the heart of the church, where sixteen ancient Roman columns stand guard, now serving as a favorite hangout spot for young couples. The most precious treasures, however, are the fragments of aforementioned mosaics that once adorned the entire structure.

Tip:
Behind the chapel altar you can descend a flight of stairs to view the foundations laid down in Roman times.

Saint Ambrose, Milan's patron saint and one-time superstar bishop, is buried in the crypt of this red-brick cathedral, which he founded in 379 CE. It's a fitting legacy, built and rebuilt with a purposeful simplicity that is truly uplifting: the seminal Lombard Romanesque basilica, considered to be one of the most ancient churches in Italy and one of the most historically interesting medieval buildings in Lombardy.

Over the years, the cathedral has undergone several restorations and partial reconstructions, culminating in its current appearance in the 12th century. The structure is adorned with two bell towers: the right one, called dei Monaci ("of the Monks"), dates back to the 9th century, and exudes a defensive severity typical of such structures. The left tower, higher than the former, was constructed in 1144, with the last two floors added in 1889.

As you step inside, you will be greeted by shimmering altar mosaics and a biographical golden altarpiece that once clad the saint's sarcophagus. The shadowy vaulted interior of the cathedral is brilliantly illuminated by these stunning artworks, taking visitors on a journey back in time to a bygone era.

Why You Should Visit:
The impressive architecture is best to be seen from afar and you won't be disappointed at entering. You won't find fancy, elaborate gilded decorations but will be able to see 6th-century columns, a 4th-century mosaic, a 10-century ciborium, medieval statues, Renaissance frescoes and a magnificent golden altar from the year 835.

The Church of Saint Maurice is a stunning church in Milan's city center, located where the most important convent for women once stood. With its beautiful murals, it is considered by many to be the most beautiful church in Milan, surpassing even the famous Duomo. Inside, every inch is covered with color, whether through paintings or mosaics, and gold is everywhere. The pillars, ceilings, and walls are adorned with decorations and prints, earning the church its nickname, "The Sistine Chapel" of Milan.

Construction of the church took about fifteen years in the 16th century. It was originally divided into two parts, one for the nuns and one for the faithful, with the strict division having only disappeared at the end of the 18th century.

Many frescoes on the walls date back to the 16th century and include works by Luini (both father and son), Campi, and Peterzano. They depict various religious images, including saints, angels, Jesus carrying the cross, and Jesus when he died. Another noteworthy object is the organ in the part where the nuns used to sit, dating back to 1554 and designed by Antegnati.

The use of colors in the church is powerful, and the colored stained glass windows are also worth seeing.

Tip:
Museo Civico Archeologico, a small but lovely archaeological museum, is located in the adjacent monastery. Here, you can admire two ancient Roman watchtowers up close, as well as numerous sculptures and a beautiful maquette spread over three floors.

Santa Maria delle Grazie (the Church of Holy Mary of Grace) is a world-famous church and Dominican convent in Milan, included in the UNESCO World Heritage sites list. The Duke of Milan, Francesco I Sforza, ordered the building of Santa Maria delle Grazie in the 15th century. The design of its apse has been attributed to Donato Bramante, who at that time was in the service of the Duchy. While adhering to the overall Gothic style of the convent, he added some Romanesque touches as well.

The church is primarily famous for the mural of The Last Supper (Il Cenacolo Vinciano) found in the refectory of the convent. Created by Leonardo da Vinci for his patron Duke Ludovico Sforza and the Duchess, this 15th-century wall painting was made on a dry wall rather than on wet plaster, and, thus, is not truly a fresco. A fresco cannot be altered as the artist works; therefore, Leonardo decided to paint on the stone wall and then cover it with a sealing layer. The work began to deteriorate a few years after he had finished it. Two early copies of "The Last Supper", thought to be the work of Leonardo's assistant, still exist.

During World War II, on the night of 15 August 1943, an allied aerial bombardment hit the church and the convent. Much of the refectory was destroyed, but some walls survived, including the one holding "The Last Supper", which had been sand-bagged for protection. The preservation works continuously done ever since, and hopefully in the future, are believed to maintain this painting intact for many centuries to come.

Why You Should Visit:
Viewing "The Last Supper" in its own setting will make you feel more appreciative of the single point linear perspective and the 3D effect so cleverly used by Da Vinci.

Tip:
To view "The Last Supper", make sure to book your tickets well in advance on the official website, as they are usually sold out within at least two weeks prior to the sought date.