Milan Madness

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This church in Milan is one of the largest in the world and took just over 500 years to complete. The inside of the cathedral is a sight to behold for there are hundreds of statues and gargoyles. It is hard to describe this cathedral in words - it is so ornate and beautiful that you are at a loss for words.

You can climb (250 steps) or ride to the roof in which the view is absolutely stunning. Take the stairs to get more of the experience and when you get to the top, it'll be worth the strenuous effort!

Getting to the Duomo is easy for it is accessible by two metro lines (Lines M1 and M3, stop Duomo). From there, it is a simple short walk. Metro tickets cost €1 apiece. The cathedral is open daily from 7am to 7pm whereas the roof is open from 9am to 5:45pm. The stairs are cheap (€4) whereas the elevator cost a bit more (€6).

Tip: Please dress appropriately and make sure your shoulders are covered and that you do not show your knees.

The Last Supper is one of Da Vinci’s greatest works. It depicts the scene of Jesus and his disciples as taken from the Bible in which Jesus announces to his compatriots that one of them will betray him in the end. Over the centuries, the fresco has deteriorated quite badly due to lack of care and poorly carried out restoration works. During the war, the church was bombed but miraculously, the fresco survived.

To see this, you must have pre-arranged reservations and booking is often frustrating and difficult for it is very popular. There is an official website where you can buy tickets (2-3 months in advance) but it is better to call them directly because the operators speak English. The number to call is +39 (02) 89421146 but keep in mind of the time differences.

Tip: Use a cheap phone card ($5) to book all of your reservations to save money on your phone bill. When you get a date/time confirmed, the operator will give you a reservation code in which you need to bring with you when picking up the tickets. Do not forget it! You must show up 20-minutes prior to pick up the tickets. Only 25 people are allowed in each time to view the painting. After picking up your tickets, you’ll have a bit of time so you could check out the church next door while waiting (free). The cost of tickets is €6.50 per person plus a €1.50 reservation fee. The Last Supper is free during Italy’s Culture Week in which I was lucky enough to be in Milan during then!

Getting to the Last Supper is easy. You need to take the metro and get off at either metro stops Conciliazione (Line M1) or Cadorna (Lines M1 or M2). It is a short walk from both stations to the Last Supper and there are signs indicating the direction you should take. A single ticket costs €1 but purchase two so you have a return trip.

The Last Supper is truly breathtaking. It is much larger than you would expect for it takes up an entire wall. The details are blurrier than what you see in pictures or in books but for the most part, you can make out the important details. After viewing the Last Supper (15 minutes time), I was quite convinced that the person to the left of Jesus was Mary Magdalene because the figure is feminine. Being a fan of works about Mary, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to see this painting.

No photography is allowed but there is a gift-shop so pick up one of the great books on the Last Supper or a postcard. The books are a bargain - €6 for a detailed book on the Last Supper! If you have a chance to stay in Milan or have a stopover, take the time to see this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – before the fresco deteriorates to the point where it cannot be restored properly.