The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, located on the south side of the Sforza Castle in western Milan, is a red-colored Catholic building that consists of a church and a Dominican monastery. It is renowned worldwide for the mural ‘The Last Supper’ by Leonardo da Vinci in the monastery’s dining hall, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. ‘The Last Supper,’ created by da Vinci in the 15th century, employed innovative and bold techniques combining oil painting and tempera, creating a unique perspective effect, but it was also susceptible to erosion. On August 15, 1943, the church and monastery were bombed by British and American aircraft, with most of the dining hall destroyed, but the wall bearing ‘The Last Supper’ survived. Centuries later, 80% of the painting’s colors had faded, and restoration work began in 1977, lasting for 22 years. Currently, there is an extremely strict control on the number of visitors, with no more than 30 people allowed per visit. Apart from ‘The Last Supper,’ the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie itself is worth visiting. The church was built under the supervision of Duke Sforza and was completed in 1490, once serving as the mausoleum for the Sforza family. During the French invasion, the church’s treasures were looted, but the exquisite dome and frescoes were preserved. The sacristy now serves as the Dominican Cultural Center, frequently hosting salons and art exhibitions. Opening hours are all year round from Monday to Saturday 07:30-13:00, and 15:00-19:00; on Sundays 07:30-12:30, and 15:00-21:00. On Sundays and public holidays, the operating hours for the Santuario della Beata Vergine delle Grazie are: 07:30 to 12:30, and 15:00-21:00. Visits are not allowed during celebration events, and specific operating hours are subject to official website announcements. The ‘Last Supper’ art gallery is open from Tuesday to Sunday 08:15 to 19:00, with the last admission at 18:45, closed every Monday, and also closed on January 1st and December 25th. Essential tips: 1. To visit ‘The Last Supper,’ it is necessary to call or book online 2-3 months in advance on the official website. After registration, choose the visit date first, then select the specific time for the visit; 2. The audio guide commentary lasts for 20 minutes, with the first 5 minutes being a pre-visit explanation, and English-speaking guided tours are available from 9:30 to 15:30 every day. It is best to arrive 20 minutes in advance to pick up the tickets to avoid missing the time; 3. Photography is not allowed when visiting the mural, but you can purchase postcards of ‘The Last Supper’ in the church’s gift shop as a souvenir.
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