The Last Supper (Santa Maria delle Grazie)

Overview

Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper (Il Cenacolo) is a 4.6 by 8.8-meter mural painted on the refectory wall of Santa Maria delle Grazie. It is arguably the most famous painting in the world after the Mona Lisa.

Highlights

• The Composition: Leonardo's revolutionary arrangement captures the exact moment Christ announces his betrayal, each apostle reacting with distinct psychological intensity.
• The Perspective: The painted architecture seamlessly extends the real room, creating a trompe-l'oeil effect that made the apostles appear to dine alongside the monks.
• The Restoration: A 21-year restoration (1978–1999) removed centuries of overpainting to reveal Leonardo's original subtle coloring.

History

Leonardo worked on the mural from 1495 to 1498, commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. He experimented with oil and tempera on dry plaster instead of traditional fresco technique, which caused the painting to begin deteriorating within decades. Allied bombs destroyed the refectory roof in 1943, but the wall survived thanks to protective sandbags.

Visitor Tips

• Book Months Ahead: Only 25 visitors are admitted every 15 minutes. Tickets sell out 2–3 months in advance.
• Strict Timing: You get exactly 15 minutes inside; guards will remove you when time expires.
• Duration: 15–30 minutes (viewing time).