Behind an understated façade on Corso Magenta, the Church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore opens into one of Milan’s most striking Renaissance interiors. Nearly every surface is covered in vivid frescoes, earning it the nickname “the Sistine Chapel of Milan.” It is a rewarding stop for art lovers looking beyond the Duomo and the Last Supper.
Built in the early 16th century for a Benedictine convent, the church is divided by a wall into two spaces: a public hall and a larger hall where cloistered nuns could attend Mass unseen. Bernardino Luini and his workshop contributed much of the decoration, alongside other Lombard painters. Look for Luini’s expressive saints and biblical scenes, the painted vaults and the historic organ in the nuns’ hall.
Allow time to explore both sides of the church and look closely at the frescoes in the chapels. The church is within walking distance of Cadorna station, and the adjoining former monastery houses part of Milan’s Civic Archaeological Museum. Check current opening hours and admission arrangements before visiting, and dress modestly and keep voices low in this religious space.