The Last Supper Museum — Attraction in Milan

Visited March 2025. To obtain tickets, check the museums official website. They release tickets every 3 months on dates listed on the website. Also recommend the 60' guided tour by this museum. Very informative!

Once you get to the museum, check in 30' before your entry time at the museum office.

Once you enter, pay attention to hidden meaning and symbolism within the painting.

Hidden Details & Symbolism

Judas’ Betrayal Clues

Judas is the only one in shadow, emphasizing his dark intentions.

He clutches a small bag, likely the silver he received for betraying Jesus.

His elbow knocks over a salt cellar, symbolizing bad luck or betrayal (the phrase "betraying the salt" means breaking trust).

Jesus' Hands & The Eucharist

Jesus' hands are positioned near bread and wine, symbolizing the Eucharist (Holy Communion).

His left hand is open, as if offering, and his right hand is palm-down, suggesting sacrifice.

Mathematical Precision & Sacred Geometry

Leonardo used the Golden Ratio (Φ) in the composition, making the proportions naturally pleasing.

The figures are arranged in triangular groupings, reflecting the Holy Trinity.

No Halo for Jesus?

Unlike traditional religious art, Jesus has no painted halo. Instead, the central window behind him forms a natural "halo" of light, emphasizing his divinity.

Mary Magdalene or John the Apostle?

The figure to Jesus’ right (our left) has delicate features, flowing hair, and a soft posture, leading some to believe it represents Mary Magdalene rather than John the Apostle.

If true, this would imply a radical departure from Christian tradition, hinting at a possible deeper relationship between Jesus and...

I'm a bit conflicted because I think my rating is based on my expectations and effort taken to visit against the ultimate payoff.

Let's start from the beginning. You must get your tickets in advance, visit the website everyday and snag them up as soon as possible. It's actually good that sites mandate timed entries. It protects the work and makes the visiting experience so much better.

Next, as it turns out, I did not get the audioguide while purchasing the ticket. Why? I knew that they had their accompanying app and I thought I could get the audioguide on-site if I changed my mind. But nope, I can't get it on the spot. So I'm downloading the app now, which takes ages by the way. Why?

The app size was HUGE. 100+Mb for the app itself and another 500Mb for the app content. And no, they don't have free WiFi so tourists are just gonna have to rely on their expensive roaming data. And it's impossible to test it out at home first without physically being in the museum because it requires bluetooth connection.

So the app is so big because it has AR capabilities which I do understand. However, it feels like the technology just isn't quite ready for it. In the end, we have a half baked app that doesn't quite work. I can't increase the play back speed or fully skip chapters. Navigating between the AR mode and then back, caused the chapter to restart. Small issues like that really broke the whole experience.

Unfortunately, I spent so much time and effort trying to get the app to work that I just didn't have much time or bandwidth to sit and admire. Wished I did that. Wished I had just gotten the...

Visiting the Last Supper Museum was an extraordinary experience, one that was deeply enriched by choosing to book with a guide. The decision to opt for a guided tour made a monumental difference in my appreciation and understanding of this iconic masterpiece.

"The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci, is not just an art piece but a historical treasure Having a knowledgeable guide to walk us through the history, techniques, and hidden meanings behind the painting added layers of depth to the experience that made it well worth the visit. The guide's passion and expertise brought the fresco to life in a way that was both engaging and enlightening.

Learning about the innovative painting techniques Leonardo employed, the challenges he faced during its creation, and the painstaking efforts taken to preserve this fragile artwork over the centuries was fascinating. The guide also shared intriguing insights into the personalities of the figures depicted and the symbolic elements hidden within the painting, which I found particularly captivating.

Moreover, the guide provided context about the era in which Leonardo worked and the impact of his work. The guide's insights and stories transformed the viewing into a memorable journey through history, art, and the genius of Leonardo da Vinci.

I highly recommend this experience to anyone interested in diving deeper into the world of art and history. It's an invaluable opportunity to connect with one of the most significant works of art in...