Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
Catholic church · Quarto Oggiaro ·

Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore

Catholic church · Quarto Oggiaro ·

Milan's Sistine Chapel: ornate interior, 1500s frescoes, free entry

Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore by null

Information

Corso Magenta, 15, 20123 Milano MI, Italy Get directions

Information

Static Map

Corso Magenta, 15, 20123 Milano MI, Italy Get directions

+39 02 8844 5208
museoarcheologicomilano.it
@chiesadimilano

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot

Last updated

Nov 16, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,700 Cities

"San Maurizio's Hall of the Believers Sometimes called " Milan 's Sistine Chapel" because of its profusely--and beautifully-- decorated walls and ceilings, San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore is well worth a visit. The Renaissance paintings commissioned by the Sforza family (the primary sponsors of Leonardo da Vinci), adorn the walls of a cloistered convent founded for noble ladies in the early 16th century. Built on an ancient Roman site, the church was built and decorated in stages over several centuries, every interior wall covered in luminous colors befitting the pomp of Lombard aristocratic taste. In particular, frescoes by Bernardino Luini, student of da Vinci, blend the sacred and the profane, using members of the court as models for portraits of saints. Most of the numerous religious and secular works of the Milanese painter have been lost, so San Maurizio is the best place to see his works. To get the most out of a visit to this little gem of art history, go with a knowledgeable guide. My husband and I toured historical Milan with Ludovic Goudin of Walks of Italy , who offer a variety of tours in Milan. San Maurizio was just one of the fascinating places we visited!. By Anita Breland"

A Week in and Around Milan
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
@hotelsabovepar
1,905 Postcards · 654 Cities

Casa Brivio Hotel Review | Hotels Above Par

"The fresco‑filled Church of San Maurizio Maggiore—often dubbed Milan’s Sistine Chapel—is called a must‑see and singled out as a nearby cultural highlight worth visiting."

https://www.hotelsabovepar.com/travel-guides/casa-brivio-hotel-review-milan
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
@itstherealjeff
261 Postcards · 23 Cities

Milan's Sistine Chapel.

Milan 2024
Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore

Barnabas A. C.

Google
A local artisan, jeweler, sent us hear. Breathtaking views Oils Portraits. Various artists from the 1500 Bringing the words of the Bible to life. The experience was solem and reflective. Worth the walk. Be blessed: Not by idols Not by tradition Not by a religion ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ But live for and Follow the Lord Jesus Christ

Harriet P.

Google
The most beautiful artistic tiles I've ever seen! A must-see if you're in milan! Also don't need to pay for the other museum this is free to enter but donations can be made in the church.

Nirit H.

Google
Hidden gem. The most beautiful church in Milan in my opinion. It is highly recommended to visit it and enjoy the beautiful artwork and hand made paintings on the wall and ceiling.

Simon J.

Google
16th Century Church depicting biblical themes which are fantastic. Free entry. Also there is entry to the house of the nuns which has a huge organ, very impressive. One of the best free things to do in Milan.

Ehab G.

Google
Absolutely must see. Hidden away gem. One of only two churches in Milan where every corner in the monastery is covered in stunning hand paintings. Some great history behind the cut icons from when the church was used as a shelter for Napoleon army during the war. Must visit and spend some time to appreciate the stunning paintings.

John V.

Google
Chiesa di San Maurizio sits right beside Milan's Archaeological Museum. Of the many frescos in the church that of Noah's Ark stands out for its originality. I do no think I have ever seen the seen of the animals boarding in pairs anywhere before. A this is not the only unique feature (at least to me), the church is divided with the clergy section in the front half of the church and the nun section in the rear half. Dividing the two is a wall, open to the front by a grating that allowed the nuns to hear the mass. Both halves are beautifully decorated with frescos.

Akil M.

Google
Free to enter and amazing to look at. Nearly every wall is adorned with frescos and there is also the nice melodic chanting music playing in the background which adds to the ambiance.

Nerine C.

Google
Located at Corso Magenta, 15, 20123 Milan MI, Italy 🇮🇹. This chapel is quite underrated because it doesn’t look as eye catching as the famous Milano Duomo. Once I walked inside though, I was struck by the sheer beauty of it. Everything in San Maurizio has colour, whether it’s paintings, mosaics or gold glitters everywhere. Nothing is uncovered by some form of colour including the pillars, ceilings and walls. The church is nicknamed the ‘Sistine Chapel’ of Milan. The church is located at what used to be the most important convent for women in Milan. The construction of this church took about fifteen years and took place in the sixteenth century. The building was split into two parts – one for the nuns and one for the faithful – and it was not until the end of the eighteenth century that this strict barrier disappeared. The church is not very big, but it’s definitely worth visiting. There’s no admission fee and the staff are friendly and welcoming. I am so glad I visited San Maurizio. Thumbs up!!! 👍👍👍
google avatar

Jay Y.

Yelp
The Duomo is Milan's most beautiful church by exterior, but he has a competitor for the most beautiful church by interior: San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, a former nunnery! Behind a virtually nonexistence facade, San Maurizio hides perhaps one of the most ornate church interiors and can actually compete with the famous Sistine Chapel. From the moment you step in the door - assuming you finally find the right door - you will be awed by the incredibly colorful paintings that surround you! Despite being in a small room, the vast amount of the beautiful paintings can spell-bind you for a while. Additionally, for the first time in history, you as a public member can finally pass through the partition wall into the previously restricted nunnery hall! Like the public worship hall across the wall, the nunnery hall is also filled with paintings. However, while the worship hall paintings are intended to awe the public the divine grace with vibrant colors, the nunnery hall paintings intend to invoke piety with serenely-colored examples of female saints. You can admire for a few minutes or examine for hours, but this church is certainly a sight that you should not miss! Did I miss it's free to enter? --- tl;dr version: 1) Perhaps Milan's most beautiful interior 2) Small spaces that are filled with marvelous paintings 3) Free sight that should not be missed
google avatar

Joanna T.

Yelp
This is one of the most beautiful churches I have seen in Italy. Considered the "Sistine Chapel" of Milano, San Maurizio is overwhelmingly blessed with walls and ceilings decorated by one of the masters of frescoes Bernardino Luini and his sons. Entering through the doorway of the Archeological Museum, you walk to the left to the entrance. Once inside, your eyes are mesmerized by the frescoes of men and women dressed in flowing robes as appropriate in the mid-1500s. There is a huge organ on the second floor looming over wooden choir seats. The frescoes are on a wall separating the church where the general masses sit and the hidden portion of the church where nuns par tipster in the service. The towards the back are frescoes from passages of the Bible such as Noah's Ark, the passion of Christ, etc. The volume of art was spectacular. Having just been restored the color are so freshr-looking you could be looking at the scenes as they would have appeared when the Master artists finished their work. Entrance is free but please do tmake a donation to support this incredible treasure.
google avatar

Stephen N.

Yelp
really I think one of Milan's hidden gems, and with Milan's oldest organ! A small church, by European church standards, but the interior is completely covered in frescoes (.. frescos? fresci?). A lot of the artwork was done by contemporaries of Da Vinci. You could spend a lot of time in here. Very serene place.