Chiesa di Santa Maria presso San Satiro image

Chiesa di Santa Maria presso San Satiro

Tourist attraction Catholic church Religious destination

Elegant church dating from the 15th century, with regular services & an ornate gilded interior. People often mention church, Bramante, perspective, Milan, altar, visit, optical, illusion, beautiful, Renaissance,


Address

Via Torino, 20123 Milano MI, Italy

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (3.9K reviews)

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Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 7:30 AM to 12 PM, 3 to 6:30 PM
  • Thursday: 7:30 AM to 12 PM, 3 to 6:30 PM
  • Friday: 7:30 AM to 12 PM, 3 to 6:30 PM
  • Saturday: 3:30 to 7 PM
  • Sunday: 9:30 AM to 12 PM, 3:30 to 7 PM
  • Monday: 7:30 AM to 12 PM, 3 to 6:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 7:30 AM to 12 PM, 3 to 6:30 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: church (45) Bramante (38) perspective (18) Milan (17) altar (17) visit (16) optical (13) illusion (13) beautiful (13) Renaissance (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Engr. Francisco Vanguardia J. 6 years ago on Google • 103 reviews
    A few minutes walk from the Duomo lies this church. The entrance to the church is very small and you will have to keep an eye finding this place. Once you go inside, you will find a large no of wall art inside the church. Entry is free and photography is allowed, so you can easily visit the church and have a look at the magnificent views of its interior. Tucked away in a small alley in the middle of Milan’s shopping district (via Torino) is Chiesa di Santa Maria presso San Satiro (Church or Basilica of Santa Maria at San Satiro). 95% of people walking this main drag don’t even realize there’s this hidden jewel that most will miss. About a five-minute walk near Milan’s Duomo you’ll find this most remarkable and interesting church in Milan. As you approach the entrance, it’s just an ordinary small church but what’s remarkable about this church is that a great architect and painter Donate Bramante has built a church with an amazing optical illusion dating back in 1482. Viewing from the back as you enter, you’ll see an altar that’s deep as if the altar has an additional depth behind it. Once you get to the front on either side, you’ll see that the nave and the area behind the altar seem much bigger and deeper due to an extraordinary optical illusion. People however are discouraged to go in because they see a sign in front that says no flash photography, they often think though that no photography is allowed. Yes, you are allowed to take pictures but don’t use the flash of course. The interior of the church is dark but to get a much nicer picture, there’s a coin operated machine to the left as you enter that can lights up the front altar. You drop your 1 Euro coin and surprise yourself with great picture taking opportunity! Better hurry though, the lighting doesn’t last long so take as many pictures as you want and enjoy the beautiful scene! Definitely not to be missed while in Milan.
    12 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Isa Gama - Reconexão com a N. 2 years ago on Google • 26 reviews
    Fantastic place with a lot of history of the Italian Renaissance, everything super renovated and beautiful. There is this Wooow effect when looking to the best perspective of Donato Bramante. He was a legendary architect (artist, an universal man) that lived in Milan during Ludovico Sforza's govern. They decided to build this church after listening to a miracle happened about 200 years before, when a drunk man passed in front of the small chapel with the painting of Madonna and Jesus (which now is on the main church altar) and stab Jesus neck. People said it started bleeding. But the problem of building the church at that place was the lack of space on the back side. Bramante managed to do the perspective trick and an incredible illusion of 9,6m depth, while he had only 0,96m available. Even Leonardo da Vinci was involved in the buiding of this church as Carlo Pedretti tells us. (I am a researcher of Renaissance and da Vinci. For a street walk in Milan see airbnb experiences)
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Pauline Y. 2 years ago on Google • 521 reviews
    Small church smacked between buildings. Enter from main road. Unique design inside the church and near to the Duomo.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Loris B. 4 years ago on Google • 326 reviews
    It is a magnificent church located in the heart of Milan, near Piazza Duomo. It is the only one in the world to remember San Satiro, elder brother of Sant'Ambrogio, which is represented inside in a splendid painting. The interior creates a sense of pleasant astonishment, alternating lights and shadows with paintings and scrolls, and, behind the altar, an apse seems to stand out, well complemented by columns and decorations. However, when one proceeds towards the altar, one realizes that one cannot pass, since there is little less than a meter of space: the apse is, in reality, an optical illusion, an illusory perspective and does not exist . This illusion was created by Donato Bramante, one of the greatest Italian architects, who used the reduced space of the church to create the fake apse which measures 97 centimeters instead of 9 meters and 70 planned in the original project. It is very beautiful to remain in the silence of the church and admire, in the light of candles, the images and the faith of the people who alternate in the visit and in the prayers. It is thus possible to enjoy a moment of reflection in the heart of a city where life is conditioned by the fast pace of business.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Al Y. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Famous for its optical spectacular church. (Original) Знаменитая своим оптическим эффектном церковь.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dom E. 4 years ago on Google
    Milanese Renaissance gem dedicated to St. Satyrus.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 P. Johannes van Voorst, I. 11 months ago on Google • 38 reviews
    Church dedicated to St. Satiri, who was the brother of St. Ambrose. The image of Our Lady with Child Jesus above the main altar is miraculous, because a soldier struck the neck of the Child in anger and it started to bleed. This blood spot is still visible, as well as blood stains on the hand of Mary underneath that spot. The apse behind the altar is a genius work of deceptive perspective effect. It seems painted from further away, but is actually in 3D and from all sides it seems about 5-8 meters deep, while in reality it is about 1 m.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Răzvan A. 7 months ago on Google • 35 reviews
    Superb detail of a “hidden church” between Milano’s biggest church empire. Well worth a visit. The outside looks very old, and the inside is immaculate. Free entry, quite empty, no dress code required. Well worth a visit.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Thomas D. 9 months ago on Google • 113 reviews
    Nice church known for his its false apse. The choir, which had to be truncated a depth of only 90 cm (3.0 ft) due to the presence of the road Via Falcone behind the church, was replaced by Bramante with a painted perspective, realizing in this way one of the first examples of trompe-l'œil in history of art.

  • 5/5 Rey R. 2 months ago on Google • 105 reviews New
    An hidden jewel in the very hearth of Milan. The access to the complex is by via Torino and it's not easy to spot. That's probably why the visitors are very few. From the architectural point of view the painted soffit of the abside is really awesome. When one enters the church, having it right in front, it looks as a normal abside, but while walking in the side asle, the amazing idea of the painter, the Bramante, becomes evident: the painted soffit is a beautiful trompe-l'œil, which visually recreates the effect of an abside where there is no space for it. For sure this place worths a visit.

  • 5/5 Nicolas E. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely perfect perspective: looks like the nave continues but the wall is absolutely flat. Amazing
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 John B. 5 years ago on Google
    The Grand Illusion - The expansion of the church required space behind the altar where there was only 91cm. The area was transformed by architect Donato Bramante using trompe d’ oeil that gave the optical illusion the space was 10m - an increase of 10x. The amazing skill and artistry is not something to be missed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Esdras 4 years ago on Google
    It's a beautiful place the sculptures are excellent
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lorenzo T. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Fantastic experience. the building was designed according to new Renaissance forms imported into the duchy by Donato Bramante. The church, built by incorporating the oldest chapel of San Satiro from which it took its name, is famous for hosting the so-called fake Bramante choir, a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance perspective painting. (Original) Fantastica esperienza . l'edificio fu progettato secondo nuove forme rinascimentali importate nel ducato da Donato Bramante. La chiesa, costruita inglobando il più antico sacello di San Satiro da cui prese il nome, è celebre per ospitare il cosiddetto finto coro bramantesco, capolavoro della pittura prospettica rinascimentale italiana.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marica N. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Bramante's optical illusion ... fabulous (Original) L illusione ottica del Bramante...favolosa

  • 5/5 Mark T. 2 years ago on Google
    The most amazing “trompe l’oeil” - pure Bramante genius. Can’t miss this while visiting Milano…

  • 5/5 Mariella P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is one of the most beautiful churches in Milan. The hasty visitor who passes through Via Torino sometimes does not notice it because the entrance is a bit hidden behind a flower stall. Those who enter it are fascinated by its beauty and above all by the genius of Donato Bramante. Unfortunately, many Milanese do not yet know it even if visitors from all over the world arrive, thanks to Touring and its volunteers who contribute to the opening of this wonder. (Original) È una delle più belle chiese di Milano. Il visitatore frettoloso che transita in via Torino a volte non la nota perché l'ingresso è un po' defilato alle spalle di una bancarella di fiori. Chi vi entra rimane affascinato dalla sua bellezza e soprattutto dalla genialità di Donato Bramante. Purtroppo molti milanesi non la conoscono ancora anche se arrivano visitatori da tutto il mondo.Un grazie al Touring e ai suoi volontari che contribuiscono alla 'apertura di questa meraviglia .

  • 5/5 Francesco B. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A place that stuns you for the illusions it creates .... At an architectural level and beyond (Original) Un luogo che ti stordisce per le illusioni che crea....A livello architettonico e non solo

  • 5/5 alberto b. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very nice and close to the center (Original) Molto bello e vicino al centro

  • 5/5 Basem M. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) waw (Original) waw

  • 4/5 andrea u. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Bramante's magical perspective (Original) La prospettiva magica del Bramante

  • 5/5 Giuliano M. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Only! (Original) Unica!

  • 5/5 Freddy F. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) First of all, it is a Basilica built in 1400 especially for a miracle that took place in 1200 on the painting of the Madonna and Bramante made the perspective of the altar (Original) Innanzitutto è una Basilica costruita nel 1400 voluta soprattutto per un miracolo avvenuto nel 1200 sul dipinto della Madonna ed il Bramante ha fatto la prospettiva dell'altare

  • 3/5 Laura P. 2 years ago on Google
    Came to hear mass here but was told that because of covid hours have changed but the hours are still posted on the door without change. Very nice and opened to go in and pray.

  • 5/5 Antonio I. 2 years ago on Google
    A mindboggling example of early Renaissance perspective by Bramante is but one of the treasures crammed in this small, unusual church

  • 5/5 Maria Giovanna G. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Bramante's masterpiece! Hidden between shops and large buildings, it amazes with its moving beauty. (Original) Capolavoro del Bramante! Nascosta tra negozi e grandi edifici, stupisce per la sua bellezza commovente.

  • 5/5 Shawon A. 4 years ago on Google
    Its awesome. A nice place to visit

  • 5/5 Gregory V. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful and unique

  • 5/5 sandro b. 2 years ago on Google
    One of the stops to do after The scuola grande di San Rocco to see more of Tintoretto paintings. The church is well preserved, the entrance fee is fair.

  • 1/5 なかの竹 2 months ago on Google • 6 reviews New
    everyone waiting to exit, but 2 Russians? skip the line. and i said, wait line, but they say no one said it. they are blind? Asian are loose? No. European are more selfish!

  • 4/5 hrvoje b. 2 years ago on Google
    Apart from being well known and beautiful church, the atmosphere is so enjoyable: relatively small place, but with many beautiful pieces of art to see. The only thing missing, in my view, is they could let the medieval Christian music playing in the background

  • 5/5 Iason K. 1 year ago on Google
    A quick visit to the inside to check tha amazing altar is a must

  • 3/5 Bart van L. 1 year ago on Google
    Looks nice from the outside, but is closed from 14th to 26th of August (2022) unfortunately

  • 5/5 P S D. 1 year ago on Google
    We fall in tears when our family prays together in this beautiful church, this place have a great aura in spirit.

  • 5/5 Lucy B. 1 year ago on Google
    Our host in Milan recommended we visit this wonderful church and I am indebted to Vasco for his advice. What a find! Designed by the famous Renaissance architect Bramante - chief architect of St Peter’s in Rome - the church sits quietly set back amidst the hubbub of Via Torino’s gawdy shops and noisy traffic. Inside you are in for a treat. Bramante’s trick with perspective and design leads you into thinking there’re is a deep fourth transept when actually there is none. Incredible workmanship and skill. Go and see it!

  • 5/5 Monika H. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful church with a particular altar

  • 5/5 Vlad D. 1 year ago on Google
    Unique experience, recommended to visit.

  • 5/5 AJ M. 7 months ago on Google
    The main attraction of this church is its fake apse (for those who know what an apse actually is). It is a 15th Century trompe-l'oeil, an optical illusion painted by Renaissance genius Bramante.

  • 5/5 Federica C. 3 years ago on Google
    Place of great spirituality

  • 5/5 pietro c. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The optical illusion of Bramante's perspective is magnificent (Original) Magnifica l'illusione ottica della prospettiva del Bramante

  • 5/5 Riccardo M. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) If you pass through Milan I recommend you to visit it (Original) Se passate per Milano vi consiglio di visitarla

  • 5/5 roberto t. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Behind the altar a masterpiece of perspective by Bramante. Not to be missed. (Original) Dietro l'altare un capolavoro di prospettiva del Bramante. Da non perdere.

  • 5/5 Angelo C. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is a masterpiece like no longer seen! (Original) È un capolavoro come non se ne vedono più!

  • 5/5 Teresa P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very beautiful church, a must visit (Original) Chiesa molto bella, assolutamente da visitare

  • 5/5 Rod P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Incredible! The optical effect obtained by the Bramante is spectacular. Enter the church and quickly evaluate how long the nave appears to you; then approach the altar ..... (Original) Incredibile! L' effetto ottico ottenuto dal Bramante è spettacolare. Entrate in chiesa e valutate rapidamente quanto vi appare lunga la navata; poi avvicinatevi all'altare.....

  • 5/5 Amulio C. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Spectacular trompe l'oeil (Original) Spettacolare trompe l'oeil

  • 5/5 Gilberto G. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A Bernini masterpiece that very few people know about in Milan (Original) Un capolavoro del Bernini che a Milano pochissima gente conosce

  • 5/5 stefano c. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Magical (Original) Magico

  • 5/5 vincenzo v. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The first realization of the perspective !!! Unmissable (Original) La prima realizzazione della prospettiva!!! Imperdibile

  • 5/5 Angelo 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A jewel hidden in the folds of Milan ... (Original) Un gioiello nascosto tra le pieghe di Milano...

  • 5/5 Mario G. 3 years ago on Google
    Capolavoro del Bramante seminascosto nel pieno centro di Milano.

  • 5/5 Dan P. 4 years ago on Google
    The apse behind the altar is spectacular. It appears to be rounded but when you get to the altar you see it is flat. The artist has created an optical illusion. Like so many other churches in Rome, the art work is fantastic.

  • 5/5 raffa P. 4 years ago on Google
    One of the most interesting places in Milan. Bramante made a miracle in the apsis!

  • 4/5 Xavier C. 4 years ago on Google
    Another beautiful church in Milan

  • 4/5 elie abi s. 4 years ago on Google
    A beautiful church in Milan

  • 4/5 Gurdeep S. 4 years ago on Google
    nice little visit and an optical illusion. was made because the church wanted to make an extension which was denied. the architect responded with an optical illusion to make it look bigger. not easy to find. its behind some shops (next to a foot locker).

  • 4/5 Robin L. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful on the outside but unfortunately they have weird visiting hours, so i never got to see the inside of the church.

  • 4/5 Roberto Soriano D. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I think that what most caught my attention was the dome and the roof with the golden color. (Original) Creo que lo que más me llamo la atención era al cupula y el techo con el color dorado.

  • 5/5 Patrizia M. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Bramante is a marvel of art .... his perspective is brilliant (Original) È una meraviglia d'arte....geniale il Bramante la sua prospettiva

  • 4/5 Tiziana m. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very beautiful church dating from the 15th century. With frescoes and gilded interiors. (Original) Chiesa molto bella risalente al XV secolo. Con affreschi e interni dorati .

  • 4/5 剛志宮本 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I think it's good 🙃 The place is good (Original) 良いと思う🙃場所いいし

  • 5/5 Elodia P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful church near the cathedral, but almost hidden. Bramante's chapel is fantastic and the perspective game of the presbytery by Bramante is incredible. The sculptural group in the saccello is also interesting. (Original) Bellissima chiesa nei pressi del duomo, ma quasi nascosta. Fantastica la cappella del Bramante e incredibile il gioco prospettico del presbiterio sempre del Bramante. Interessante anche il gruppo scultoreo nel saccello.

  • 5/5 Daniel Halim Ayoub M. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Bramante's optical illusion is spectacular, so much studied in art history books. This, in my opinion, is the first place where a tourist should take a visit to Milan, in addition to the fact that it is in the center, a stone's throw from the Duomo. (Original) Spettacolare l'illusione ottica del Bramante, tanto studiata sui libri di storia dell'arte. Questo, a mio avviso, è il primo posto in cui si dovrebbe portare un turista in visita a Milano, oltre al fatto che è in pieno centro, a due passi dal Duomo.

  • 5/5 Ana S. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A must for lovers of Renaissance art. (Original) Visita obligada para los amantes del arte renacentista.

  • 5/5 Marcello P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A hidden gem (Original) Un gioiello nascosto

  • 5/5 Cristian G. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Fifteenth-century church with the intervention of Bramante absolutely to visit, although it is not part of the mass tourist routes. In the center but a little secluded, the surprise perspective of the fake choir is breathtaking (Original) Chiesa quattrocentesca con intervento del Bramante assolutamente da visitare, benché non rientri nei percorsi turistici di massa. In pieno centro ma un po’ defilata, la sorpresa prospettiva del finto coro è mozzafiato

  • 5/5 Giuseppe B. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful church, a must visit (Original) Chiesa bellissima, assolutamente da visitare

  • 5/5 Ugo D. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) magical perspective (Original) prospettiva magica

  • 5/5 Che S. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Suggestive .... in the center of a shopping street you can find a spiritual dimension ..... (Original) Suggestiva ....in pieno centro in una strada commerciale puoi ritrovare una dimensione spirituale .....

  • 5/5 Maurizio F. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A unique beam in the world (Original) Un fascio unico al mondo

  • 5/5 Antonio C. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful to see (Original) Bellissima da vedere

  • 5/5 Michele P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Small church hidden in the center. It is worth looking for, both to pray in complete calm and to visit it. (Original) Piccola chiesetta nascosta al centro. Vale la pena cercarla, sia per pregare nella calma più completa, sia per visitarla.

  • 5/5 Elio B. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A Bramante gem expertly adapted to the narrow spaces of the chapel of San Satiro. Valuable nativity scene and scene of the Deposition. (Original) Una chicca bramantesca sapientemente adattata ai ristretti spazi del sacello di San Satiro. Presepe e scena della Deposizione pregevoli .

  • 5/5 Angie F. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Superb and well preserved (Original) Stupenda e ben conservata


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Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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