Tour Details
Photos & Highlights
- Bask in the historic Last Supper painting, along with the life and work of Da Vinci
- Led by an art historian or local expert
- The Last Supper, Santa Maria delle Grazie, Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, and Codex Atlanticus
Tour Description
Please note: tickets for the Last Supper painting are among the most difficult to procure in all of Italy. They are released for sale by the museum in waves approximately 30-60 days prior to entry date. We cannot confirm Last Supper viewings until about 2-3 weeks prior to your tour date. Thank you for your patience!
Milan is perhaps most celebrated for housing Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper.’ On this 3 hour Last Supper Painting Tour, in the company of a local art historian or expert, we will delve deep into the subject of Leonardo, his life and works, the city that made him and, of course, the iconic masterpiece. This tour focuses almost entirely on da Vinci and his relationship to the city, with a visit to the Last Supper and Santa Maria delle Grazie as well as the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana Museum. We’ll also spend time admiring the exterior of the Duomo as we talk about Leonardo’s role in the construction of this formidable structure. This tour is ideal for anyone with a keen eye for art looking for a deeper understanding of one of Italy’s greatest geniuses, Leonardo da Vinci.
Milan is perhaps most celebrated for housing Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper.’ On this 3 hour Last Supper Painting Tour, in the company of a local art historian or expert, we will delve deep into the subject of Leonardo, his life and works, the city that made him and, of course, the iconic masterpiece. This tour focuses almost entirely on da Vinci and his relationship to the city, with a visit to the Last Supper and Santa Maria delle Grazie as well as the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana Museum. We’ll also spend time admiring the exterior of the Duomo as we talk about Leonardo’s role in the construction of this formidable structure. This tour is ideal for anyone with a keen eye for art looking for a deeper understanding of one of Italy’s greatest geniuses, Leonardo da Vinci.
- Small group Last Supper Painting Tour
- Visits the Last Supper and Santa Maria delle Grazie
- Led by an art historian or local expert
Viewing the Last Supper Painting
Our Last Supper Painting Tour may vary in terms of order as we will adapt according to when we have a slot to view The Last Supper. We may begin at Santa Maria delle Grazie, the 15th century convent and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our expert will give some background information about the striking church, associated with architect Bramante. We may talk about the features of the building, from the tiburio and collonados to the cloisters and impressive apses. Before we head in to view the revered painting in the museum, our expert will detail the background of the artwork and the story behind Leonardo’s work. Due to strict policy restrictions, we may or may not have our expert with us during the 15 minutes we will spend with the painting. Either way, we will take time to admire and absorb the details outlined by our expert before we say farewell to da Vinci's masterpiece. Afterwards, we may take time to reflect on what we have seen together, with our expert adding in relevant information in hindsight.
Perusing the Pinacoteca
Another venue we will soak in on this Last Supper Tour is the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. A true Milanese gem, the museum holds masterpieces by Caravaggio, Botticelli, Raphael, and, of course, Leonardo da Vinci. Our guide will spend some time discussing the section dedicated to da Vinci as we admire his original drawings, as well as the Codex Atlanticus, a set of writings and drawings from 1478 to 1519 covering everything from flight, to weaponry, to mathematics, to botany. Perhaps more importantly, the museum contains Portrait of a Musician , a Da Vinci oil on wood painting, believed to date from 1485. We’ll talk about what Leonardo was doing during the time this was painted and the story behind said treasured artwork.
Leonardo and Milan
We may also spend time talking about Leonardo’s connection with the city more broadly and the influence he had on the scope and construction of anything from the Duomo to the Navigli canals. Wishing to expand his work to encompass his other interests, in the early 1480s da Vinci drafted a letter to offer the ruler of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, a litany of potential services, from military machines to artistic feats. While some canals existed prior to da Vinci’s arrival, he greatly expanded their reach thanks to his innovative use of dams, all the while creating legendary works like Virgin on the Rocks and The Last Supper. We may talk about da Vinci’s relationship with the French and the indelible impact he left on nearly every element of Milanese life, a theme we’ll examine throughout our tour.
Take Aways
At the end of our Last Supper Painting Tour, we will leave each other with a deeper understanding of the life of Leonardo da Vinci, his connection with beloved Milan and the masterpieces that we are able to see in the 3 hours together. This is a fitting walk for anyone with a keen interest in this talented Italian figure.
Disclaimer: please note that this tour is not confirmed until we guarantee the Last Supper ticket availability.
FAQ
What is a private tour?
Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.
What is a small group tour?
Our small group tours cover many of the same itineraries as our private tours, but they place you with other travelers in groups of 6 or less. They operate on a pre-scheduled calendar, and are designed to provide an opportunity to engage with and learn from other travelers. Most of our small group tours require at least three (3) participants to run, although there is some variation from walk to walk. However, there is some variation from walk to walk. As you sign up for a tentative walk we display the minimum number required in order to confirm.
Where do we meet? Where does it end?
The meeting point will vary depending on when our tickets are timed. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map, and emergency phone number.
I would like to extend the tour by an hour to add a visit to Sforza Castle. Is this possible?
Yes. The additional hour will be 198€ and 10€per person for the tickets to the castle.
I hear tickets are hard to get for the Last Supper. Will you let us know when you have tickets?
Yes. As soon as tickets are released and are booked, we will confirm the tour. If we can’t secure tickets, we will let you know and we will not confirm your tour.
What if it’s raining?
Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your expert will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.
Where You'll Start
Tour Experts
Cesare has a degree in art history, and his main field of research is art techniques, especially stained glass. He is a licensed tour guide tour guide since 2007, and the main aim of his work is bringing back to life the old stones and giving voice to the past. Speeches and lesson about art and history, created for group of amateurs or for companies who look for an inspirational figure from the past, are also part of his job. Beside his work he has an intense activity as a choir singer and he is also a draftsman and illustrator.
Fiamma received a degree in History of Art from the Università degli Studi di Milano and has worked as a professional tour guide in Milan since 2012. Her career choice was based on her deep passion for her city and its heritage, mostly unknown to the locals themselves. She is particularly interested in the urban development of the city and its many changes and evolutions, since the ancient Roman age up to our modern times. Fiamma is also an official guide of the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo of Milan. In addition to her passion for Milan and its art, she is also interested in theatre and an amateur actress.
13 Reviews
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Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Cesare is very knowledgeable and has a wealth of information. Not sure if the meeting place was the correct place based on our 1st stop. I had to call the local number, since, at 10 minutes after the meeting time, Cesare was not there - apparently, there was confusion on the meeting location, we were at the one in the confirmation.
Marjorie
Sep. 27, 2019
Such a friendly and personal service. Thanks. It was wonderful to be with a guide who knew so much history in depth and had such great knowledge of the city.
Fiona
Sep. 8, 2019
Everything was done wonderfully! Silvia is an Expert in her field. She was lovely and enthusiastic. We all enjoyed her as a guide and as a person.
Catherine
Sep. 1, 2019
