ITLeonardo in Milan
Illustrious guests have honoured the city and left indelible marks. One of these was Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest geniuses of the Italian Renaissance. The artist came to Milan in 1482 and remained at the Sforza court for 25 years. During his tenure in Milan, he produced masterpieces of art and engineering and, today, Leonardo's name is permanently linked to Milan.
Ludovico the Moor commissioned Leonardo da Vinci to paint the Last Supper and the genius worked on it between approximately 1495 and 1498. Advance booking is essential for a visit to see the masterpiece, which is located in the refectory of the Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie (tel. 02 92800360). Don't forget to also visit the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie; its Late Gothic and Renaissance styles make it one of the greatest examples of sacred architecture in our area. Inside the Sforza Castle, built by Francesco Sforza between 1450 and 1466 as a residence and fortress, Leonardo frescoed the beautiful Sala delle Asse (circa 1498) also on a commission from Ludovico the Moor. It consists of an original decorative system formed from flowered boughs thickly intertwined with each other. You should absolutely not miss a visit to the Civic Museums of the Castle that, among other masterpieces, contain the very famous Pietà Rondanini by Michelangelo. The Milanese places where Leonardo left his mark include the Ambrosiana Gallery, which contains his painting “Il Musico” and the Ambrosiana Library, which preserves the Codex Atlanticus.
During his stay in Milan, Leonardo turned his attention to the system of canals. The one he spent the most time on is the Naviglio Grande.
Finally, the National Museum of Science and Technology, which is dedicated to Leonardo Da Vinci, has a section devoted to Leonardo's models and drawings and an exhibit on the great genius’s works during the years he spent in Milan.
