The walls of the Chiesa di San Maurizio preserve some of the oldest frescoes in Milan. The ruins of a Maximian wall run through the surrounding gardens, and the 16th-century church has been restored. Lovers of art and history will delight in this glimpse into the ancient city.
The Archaeological Museum of Milan takes up the buildings that once belonged to a women’s convent. Exhibitions dedicated to Greece, Egypt and Israel stand where nuns went about their daily business. Learn about the history of Milan in ancient and medieval times.
The church dates back more than 500 years and many of the original features remain. Step through the front doors into the vaulted nave and stop to take in the full impact of the room from afar. Frescoes from the 16th century cover the walls. Numerous notable painters were involved, including Bernardino Luini and his son Aurelio. Look for the painting opposite by Simone Peterzano. It is thought to be his first painting in Milan.
There are more paintings in the Hall of Nuns. Look for Saint Catherine, the Marriage at Cana and Saint Agatha. Come on a Sunday between October and June to hear a musician play the church’s famed pipe organ during Byzantine Rite celebrations. Imagine how many hands have played the organ since it was built in 1554.
Walk through the gardens and look for two towers. These are the remains of a Maximian, or Roman, wall that once ran through here. One of the towers is used as a bell tower for the church.
The Chiesa di San Maurizio is open every day. There is a fee for the Archaeological Museum of Milan. Walk through the grounds and church for free.
The church is a short walk from Sempione Park and the Castello Sforzesco in central Milan. If you’re coming from the Piazza del Duomo, follow Via Meravigli until you reach the Chiesa. There are two metro stations nearby.
