€£$
по-русскиen Español (pronto)
enter
1511things to do
in the world
211things to do
in Italy
30things to do
in Milan

See extraordinary optical illusion in the church of Santa Mariain Milan, Italy

#6of 30 things to doin Milan

Oddviser

adventure's step-by-step
recipes & lifehacks
How to ride a board on volcano in Nicaragua?How to walk inside the active volcano in Greece?How to feed flying dogs in the jungles of Thailand?How to cycle along the Great Wall of China?How to swim in the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome?How to ride a kayak along the canals of Venice?How to walk on the roofs of skyscrapers in Dubai?
Join usit's more fun together :)
Here you will see an optical illusion, conceived the brilliant architect of 600 years ago!
How to see extraordinary optical illusion in the church of Santa Maria in Milan
In a small church near Piazza Duomo you will see an unusual optical illusion, which was conceived by genius architect Donato Bramante, a friend of Leonardo da Vinci, approximately 600 years ago.

Inside the church is the altar with the image of the Madonna. Stand in front of it - and you will see how the columns of the apse (altar) go deep into a couple of meters, and the altar seems spacious and wide.

Now come close to the altar - and you will realize that it is completely flat! This amazing illusion was conceived by the architect - once he was forbidden to demolish the public house, in the place which he planned to offer a real altar, and Donato Bramante decided to use the reception using the illusion of perspective.

Where to do?

#4Church of Santa Maria in MilanChurch of Santa Maria

This secret place near Piazza Duomo is an island of peace and tranquility amongst the hustle and bustling city.

Location: Via Torino, 17/19
Open hours: from 7:30 am to 7 pm

How much?

free entrance.

Reviews

Guest06 May 2025

More things to do in Milan

DMARC CheckGet instant DMARC check on DmarcDkim.comadvertisement

DMARC allows you to discover, monitor, and fix weak spots in your email setup, prevent email spoofing, and increase email deliverability. Is your domain vulnerable?

#14Ride in a boat on the canals of Milan in MilanRide in a boat on the canals of Milanoddviser

Ride on a mini-boat on the canals designed by Leonardo da Vinci.

8Naviglio Grande
#12Try gelato artigianale in MilanTry gelato artigianaleKateryna Plakhotna

Do not forget to visit gelateria in Milan and try an unusual variety of ice cream, which is prepared only here.

2Grom Gelateria
#5Try Gorgonzola in MilanTry GorgonzolaEugene Krasowski

Become a real foodie and try Italian Gorgonzola blue cheese with mold, which gives it a distinctive tangy flavor.

#19Try risotto Milanese in MilanTry risotto MilaneseLIFEisGOOD

You need to taste an unusual saturated yellow rice with saffron and wine only in its homeland.

15
#17Ride around the city on the historic tram #1 in MilanRide around the city on the historic tram #1Joan Naples

Ride on the historic tram that looks like a toy train and rides near the most popular attractions of Milan.

2
#24Try Negroni Sbagliato cocktail in MilanTry Negroni Sbagliato cocktailЧечель Алексей

Bubbly Negroni Sbagliato cocktail will be a good ending of the day in a fairy Milan.

10
#10Try panzerotti by Luini in MilanTry panzerotti by LuiniKateryna Plakhotna

The best panzerotti in Milan you can buy only by Luini, and you should try them - especially panzerotti with tomatoes and mozzarella.

3Luini Panzerotti
#7See Egyptian mummies in MilanSee Egyptian mummiesDarina

Sforza Castle has the Museum of Egypt, which holds real mummies and sarcophagi, still able to scare even daredevils.

5Sforza Castle
#23Try Fernet-Branca liqueur in MilanTry Fernet-Branca liqueurTarras

Try Milan's famous liqueur, the taste of which you will not be confused with anything, and whose recipe is kept very secret.

30
#20Try stracchino cheese in MilanTry stracchino cheeseoddviser

Soft cheese with a slight bitterness is best spread on bread, take a bottle of wine and have a picnic in a quiet area of Milan.

4
#22Try salami in MilanTry salamioddviser

There are several kinds of salami, but the most delicious is Milanese salami, and you certainly need to try it in Milan.

10
Know more things to do?Guest

Share your ideas of what to do in Milan with other travellers — together we'll make our travellings more interesting!

Photo credit © http://en.wikipedia.org