Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, Milan

A hidden gem of the city, Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore is a fully frescoed Renaissance church noted for paintings by Bernardino Luini, an artist who worked closely with Leonardo da Vinci and became known for his graceful female figures with elongated eyes. The church was originally attached to the city’s most important female convent of the Benedictines, which now serves as an archaeological museum. These adjoining buildings were erected on pre-existing Roman foundations, with some of the ancient elements incorporated into the new structures. Construction began in 1503, with the complex divided into one section for the faithful, and one for the nuns. For nearly three centuries the nuns were forbidden to cross the dividing wall. Today, the complex is open daily for both worshippers and art enthusiasts. To visit Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore and other attractions in Milan, use our Milan trip itinerary builder tool.