Milan Cathedral

It's 515 ft (157 meters) long and 302 ft (92 m) wide. It can house up to 40.000 people. Il Duomo di Milano is one of the largest Catholic churches in the world.

The building and its construction

The site where the Cathedral is currently situated was previously occupied by the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio. In 838 the Basilica di Santa Tecla was founded next to the first church, but in 1075 a fire devastated both buildings and a few centuries later, the Duomo was established in the same location.

The construction of Milan Cathedral began in 1386 and coincided with Gian Galeazzo Visconti coming into power. The purpose of this impressive construction was to modernize the area and celebrate the expansion of the Visconti territory.

The Cathedral took five centuries to complete. During this time, various architects, sculptors, and artists contributed to the famous construction program known as the “Fabbrica del Duomo”. The result was an impressive and unique piece of architecture, which merged the international Gothic style with the Lombard Romanesque style.

The structure was covered with white and pink marble from the Candoglia quarry in Val D’Ossola. The Cathedral’s roof is covered in openwork pinnacles and spires crowned with sculptures that overlook the city.

On the highest spire of the temple is the Madonnina, a gilded bronze statue, which was sculpted by Giuseppe Perego in 1774. Over the years it has become the symbol of Milan.

Inside the Cathedral

Milan Cathedral is a vast structure made of large darkened marble plates. The interior is elegant and stately thanks to its large sculpted marble columns that reach the ceiling.

Large paintings adorn the walls of the temple, representing scenes from the Bible and the skeletons of various saints lie in glass caskets spread throughout the building, all dressed in their best attire.

Some of the Cathedral’s highlights are the statue of Bartholomew the Apostle, patron saint of the tanners. The saint is depicted with his skin hanging off his shoulders as a reference to the martyrdom he suffered.

One of the most precious objects housed in the Duomo is situated in the dome behind the altar, it's one of the nails used during the Crucifixion of Christ. It's only exposed to the public once a year, on the Saturday closest to the 14 September.

Rooftop terrace

The rooftop terrace is practically as large as the whole roof of the Cathedral. Tourists can climb to the top and walk along the terrace, while you enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramic views of Milan. It's also fascinating to see the roof’s sculptures up close.

You can either climb to the top on foot (the stairs are fairly comfortable), or get up by using the elevator, but you'll need to pay a surplus.

Crypt and Treasure

The crypt is located in the Chapel of Saint Charles Borromeo, where his remains are buried. You can also visit the Cathedral Treasure, although in our opinion it isn’t very interesting and there is little to see.

The Baptistery

Under the Duomo, visitors can climb down to the archaeological remains to see what is left of the Basilica di Santa Tecla and the ruins of a Christian baptistery from the fourth century. In the center of this building you'll see the remains of a large octagonal baptismal font, where, according to a legend, Saint Ambroise baptized Saint Augustin in 387.

The most visited attraction in Milan

Il Duomo di Milano is one of the most important attractions in Milan and is well worth visiting. Moreover, climbing to the top of the rooftop terrace offers breathtaking views of the city. However, the Treasure is not as recommendable as the other parts of the Cathedral.

Keep in mind that even if you visit the city in summer and it's very hot, you'll need to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, otherwise, you will most likely not be allowed in.