Santa Maria presso San Satiro
A small church remodeled by Bramante, who used a perspective illusion to create an apse on a wall less than a meter deep.
This small church, hidden near Via Dante, was remodeled at the end of the 15th century by the Renaissance architect Donato Bramante. Because the site had no room for an apse, Bramante used perspective relief on a wall less than a meter deep behind the altar to create the illusion of a deep vaulted space. From the entrance, it looks convincing, and only when you walk closer to the side can you tell the truth. It is a famous optical illusion in architectural history. Entry is free (sometimes a small fee of €2 applies), and it is only a 3-minute walk from the cathedral.
Opening hours
Tue–Sat approx. 09:30–17:30; open Sunday afternoons; hours often change
Nearby sights
- Museo del Novecento
- Biblioteca e Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
- Milan Cathedral
- Royal Palace of Milan
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- Teatro alla Scala
- Museo Poldi Pezzoli
- Basilica of San Lorenzo & Colonne di San Lorenzo