San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore is one of Milan's most remarkable and least-visited treasures — a 16th-century Benedictine church on Corso Magenta whose sober exterior conceals an interior covered almost entirely in Renaissance frescoes. Many call it the "Sistine Chapel of Milan". Entry is free.
About the church
Built for a Benedictine convent in the early 1500s, San Maurizio was divided into two halls — one for the public, one for the cloistered nuns. Both are entirely frescoed, floor to ceiling, in one of the great decorative schemes of the Lombard Renaissance.
From the street you'd never guess: the modest brick front gives no hint of the colour inside.
The interior: Milan's Sistine Chapel
The frescoes are the whole point — take your time.
Much of the cycle is by Luini, one of Leonardo da Vinci's most gifted followers, and his sons.
A frescoed partition separated the public church from the nuns' choir — both sumptuously painted.
A working Renaissance organ from 1554, still used for concerts.
The Civic Archaeological Museum adjoins the church, 32 m away.
A special temple
San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore is one of Milan's most unusual and special religious buildings, thanks to the wall that once divided it in two and the enormous frescoes that cover almost every surface.
If you have the time, carry on into the rest of the former convent, which now houses the Archaeological Museum of Milan.
Visiting tips
Go in the morning for the best light on the frescoes.
It's free and rarely crowded — a hidden gem.
Combine with the Archaeological Museum next door and the Last Supper nearby.
Closed on Mondays.
Discover Milan's Renaissance treasures with an expert, including the Last Supper nearby.