What to do and see in Milan, Lombardy: The Best Churches & Cathedrals

May 13, 2022 Madelene Haan

One of the world’s fashion capitals, Milan offers endless opportunities for chic shopping. Hit the artsy neighborhood of Brera for leather goods and Via Monte Napoleone for exclusive, expensive boutiques. The enchanting mosaics and glass vaults of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II make shoppers feel like they’re wandering inside a painting. Take break from your spree to gape at the iconic Duomo, then grab tickets to a performance at La Scala. Post-opera, the Navigli district pulses with late-night activity.
Restaurants in Milan

1. Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore

Corso Magenta 15, 20123 Milan Italy +39 02 8844 5208 http://www.turismo.milano.it/wps/portal/luogo/museoarcheologico/infoecontatti/sanmaurizio
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4,483 reviews

Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore

Reviewed By NusratChe - London, United Kingdom

The exterior façade covered in grey stone is somewhat understated by Italian standards and one is not prepared for what lays in its interior. Once inside, your senses are filled with vibrant colours of paintings and frescoes everywhere. Walls are covered by spectacular frescoes from the 16th century while above, the vaulted ceiling is painted in glorious biblical scenes. This was a church attached to a nunnery and indeed there is a separate large room called 'Hall of Nuns'. A marvellous place to spend an hour or two, very close to Santa Maria delle Grazie that houses The Last Supper. No entrance fee but a small donation would show a visitor's appreciative decorum. On the vault of the hall of the nuns is depicted a starry sky, with God, the Evangelists, and angels. In the end there is the painting Ecce Homo. Organ In the hall of Nuns there is an organ of 1554 by Giovan Giacomo Antegnati entirely by mechanical transmission, consisting of a keyboard of 50 notes and a pedal 20, constantly united to the keyboard.

2. Santa Maria delle Grazie

Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie 2, 20123 Milan Italy +39 02 467 6111 http://legraziemilano.it/
Excellent
65%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,314 reviews

Santa Maria delle Grazie

One of the world's most famous paintings, Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" (1495-97), is displayed here.

Reviewed By SammyLuli

This beautiful church built 1497, by the same architect designed the St Peter's Basilica in Rome, commissioned what would become one of the greatest artists of humanity, paint a fresco, that would in turn become the most coped image of the last 5 centuries of Western civilization and a defining image of Christianity. Inside the church itself is beautiful detail, gorgeous craftsmanship without being ostentatious, the grounds are lovely as well. I would recommend getting a tour, wealth of information and puts into perspective the 600 year history of what you're looking and allows access to lovely gardened grounds, especially that this almsot all disappeared in WW2.

3. Duomo di Milano

Piazza del Duomo, 20122 Milan Italy +39.02.72023375 [email protected] http://www.duomomilano.it/
Excellent
77%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 56,586 reviews

Duomo di Milano

The Duomo, symbol of Milan in the world, is one of the largest cathedrals in Italy and Europe. Patrimony of Milanese people and humanity, over the centuries it has been expressing, with its magnificence, the devotion of humanity toward the Divine, involving future generations in an endless commitment. The Milan Cathedral, besides being an artistic monument, is a privileged place of prayer, deeply linked to the memory and teachings of the Bishops who succeeded on St. Ambrose's chair, and to the history of the millions of worshippers who, every year, gather in this place to celebrate the Sacred Mysteries. The Cathedral is the mother Church of the Diocese, having a symbolic role of exemplarity both in the life of the city worship, and in relation with the Diocese activity.

Reviewed By ibrett23 - Derby, United Kingdom

I come here every year, past 8 years for a long weekend break. Duomo is a fantastic work of art, great views of Milan from the rooftop, the inside and the museum are also worth the visit, €28 euros for a skip the line tour of all three is a bargain too

4. Chiesa di Santa Maria presso San Satiro

Via Torino 17-18, 20123 Milan Italy +39 02 874683 http://www.chiesadimilano.it
Excellent
72%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,776 reviews

Chiesa di Santa Maria presso San Satiro

Just south of the world-famous Duomo in Milan, this historic church was built in the 9th century. More commonly known as “San Satiro,” it houses Byzantine frescoes and other works of art.

Reviewed By 214evaf - Bloomington, United States

Visit and admire the amazing depth perception of the altar arches and columns. It is so deceiving! Ingenious.

5. Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore

Corso di Porta Ticinese 35, 20123 Milan Italy +39 02 8940 4129 http://www.sanlorenzomaggiore.com/
Excellent
52%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 563 reviews

Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore

Reviewed By alessandrofL127YD - Milan, Italy

Beautiful church built the firsts years of 300 so 1700 years ago. Marvelous the churchyard with beautiful Roman columns , a copy of the statue of Emperor Costantino and a beautiful and scenographic facade of the basilica. Inside you can admire the 4th century mosaic of Christ the Lawgiver, frescoes depicting the Last Supper, frescoes over and behind the main altar. Behind the church a very nice park connect the Basilica of Saint Lawrence to Basilica of Saint Eustorgio

6. Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio

Piazza Sant'Ambrogio 15, 20123 Milan Italy +39 02 8645 0895 http://www.basilicasantambrogio.it/
Excellent
65%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,869 reviews

Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio

Reviewed By giacomina17 - Brisbane, Australia

You can't miss this place as it is huge. Amazing to think it is so old. Milan's second most important church after the Duomo. Good signage throughout means you get to appreciate its history and the art work, especially in the side chapels.

7. Certosa di Milano

Via Garegnano 28, 20156 Milan Italy +39 02 3800 6301 [email protected] http://certosadimilano.com/
Excellent
69%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 367 reviews

Certosa di Milano

The Charterhouse was founded by notarial deed on September 19th, 1349 by Giovanni Visconti, archbishop and lord of Milan, who donated it to the Carthusian order, together with other personal belongings. Petrarca's account is what is left of the primary Charterhouse. In 1388 Giovanni's nephew, Luchino Novello Visconti, regarded as the second founder, donated, on his death, all his belongings to the Carthusian monks. In the XVth century the Charterhouse look was completely modified.

8. Basilica di Sant'Eustorgio

Piazza Sant'Eustorgio 1, 20122 Milan Italy +39 02 5810 1583 http://www.santeustorgio.it
Excellent
61%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 594 reviews

Basilica di Sant'Eustorgio

Reviewed By Kingsleyjamesflint - Cossonay, Switzerland

Utterly stunning Middle Ages and Renaissance beauties hiding behind this lovely old church in their museum. This is the Capella Portinari, one of the most exquisite places to visit in Milan or anywhere if you love ecclesiastical art of the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. The Huge marble tomb of the Martyr Peter, covered in wonderful sculptures on three levels, was carved in 1339, the extraordinary chapel Full of fascinating frescoes in which it sits was decorated in the 1400s. The ring of angels in the drum of the dome is unbelievable. This is a gem, up there with the Last Supper and anything else in the great treasures of the city.

9. Chiesa di San Bernardino alle Ossa

Via Carlo Giuseppe Merlo 4, 20122 Milan Italy +39 02 7602 3735 http://www.turismo.milano.it/wps/portal/tur/en/arteecultura/architetturaemonumenti/abbaziechieseebasiliche/chiesa_san_bernardino_ossa
Excellent
53%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 825 reviews

Chiesa di San Bernardino alle Ossa

Reviewed By paupenise - Verona, Italy

The ossuary is outwordly. The small sanctuary with high walls coverded with human bones takes you somewhere else. It is cold and there is a unique light smell in it. I was deffinetly not prepared for that experience. Worth the visit.

10. Basilica di San Vittore al Corpo

Via San Vittore 25, 20123 Milan Italy +39 02 4800 5351 [email protected] http://www.basilicasanvittore.it/
Excellent
52%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 103 reviews

Basilica di San Vittore al Corpo

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