Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore

Next stop on our Art Tour was the beautiful San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore and it was simply amazing. Very plain on the outside, the inside was a sight to behold. Every surface is covered with beautiful and interesting frescoes. Originally attached to the most important female convent of the Benedictines in the city, it is now a museum and sometimes used as a concert hall.

Construction commenced in 1503 and it took 15 years to complete. It was originally divided into two parts, one for the faithful and one for the nuns. Up until 1794 it was completely forbidden for the nuns to cross the dividing wall.

Today we got to enter the nuns’ section and it was just as stunning as the outer area, if not more so. Sitting in the seats the nuns once sat was pretty surreal. The organ was amazing and is still used to this day, and the frescoes depict so many well known religious stories. I could have spent hours here admiring the artwork. Although I must admit there were a couple of strange images in amongst the beautiful frescoes.Read more