The Church of San Maurizio, situated in the inside of the important Monastero Maggiore of the Benedictine, was constructed from 1503. It was completed fifteen years later and was divided in two areas: a part (the one that faces C.so Magenta) dedicated to the believers and public, the other reserved only to the nuns of the monastery who couldn't pass the dividing wall (in 1794 the Archbishop gives them the chance to enter in the public zone in order to admire the altar). 
To the frescoes of the church worked some of the most important artists of XVI century in Lombardia: Paolo Lomazzo, Bernardino Luini and his two sons, Calisto Piazza and Vincenzo Foppa. But recently, after the restorations, many of the theories on the paternity of these works have been completely re-discussed. 
The Organ was commissioned in 1554 to Giovan Giacomo Antegnati and placed in the Claustar Church 3 years later.

VISIT:

Entering in the Church of San Maurizio is like opening a small coffer, kept closed for a lot, lot of time, and being enraptured in front of the images that are in front of our eyes.

After several years of restorations (not still finished and they will begin again in 2001 to work on the women's galleries) the Church is finally reopened - probably only for the Jubilee year - this authentic treasure of the painting in Lombardia of the XVI century. Take all the time you need to admire the beauty of frescoes that entirely cover the Believers Church with bright and vivid colours. Among the right Chapels, particularly interesting is the Cappella Besozzi, the second one, dedicated to Saint Catherine, in which stands out the marvellous fresco dedicated to the decapitation of the Saint. 
Absolutely spectacular the dividing wall, attributed to Luini, with images of S. Ursula, S. Maurice, Alessandro Bentivoglio (the client of this work) e the painting of Campi with the Adoration of the magi.

Pass, on the left of the altar, through the St. John the Baptist and the Deposition Chapels, and enter in the Claustral Church, where you will be dazzled by the wonderful frescoes of the Presbytery. 
On the vault, on the background of a dark blue sky full of stars, the images of God with the Evangelists and groups of Angels. On the dividing wall images of St. Catherine, St. Agatha, of the Died Christ, the Christ in Cross, the Wedding of Cana and the Climb to Calvary. In the terminal Chapel of the presbytery, wonderful fresco of the Ecce Homo - look at the faces of the two rascals that deride the Christ.

Unfortunately all the right Chapels are still under restoration and are closed - the last one in special way, partially visible behind scaffolds, has a very beautiful image of Adam and Eve who receive the sin fruit from the snake - while among those on the left splendid is the Noah's Ark's Chapel, with fresco of Aurelio Luini.

If you take a look at the upper part of the church, you will see the beautiful women's galleries, entirely decorated - probably by Giovanni Antonio Boltraffio - with flowers and faces of nuns and Martyrs.

Exiting from the Church and entering in the building to its right - where is situated the Archaeological Museum of Milan, entrance for free - you can see the Monastery's Cloister and, in the garden, the two quadrangular and polygonal towers, of Roman age, inserted in the ancient walls of Massimiano - some other roman ruins the Mediolanensis Circus, are at the corner between via Brisa and via Luini.