The biggest Gothic cathedral south of the Alps is also one of the largest churches in the world.
(It is smaller only than St. Peter’s in Rome, cathedral in Seville and a church on Ivory Coast ).
It’s interior hosts some 40,000 seats around 52 large columns supporting the construction. There are numerous statues inside and about 3,400 flanking the massive exterior.
the roof of Milan's Duomo
As one can expect this was not done within one year, or even a decade. It took over 500 years to complete the whole cathedral. The initial work began in 1386 with extensive use of Candoglia marble, which multiplied the costs of enterprise. Although the cathedral has been consecrated in 1418 the works were held in the following centuries according to the arriving funds. In spite of changing art styles the following architects were sticking to the original Gothic concept until the year 1813, when Napoleon, who was crowned King
of Italy here, had the façade completed with Neo-Gothic spires. But that was merely the end. Later the church received five bronze doors with reliefs depicting the life of Jesus and the Saints.
The local expression la fabricca del duomo, refers to the lenght of the time needed to complete the cathedral as an activity without a visible end.
The interior features the Stained-Glass Windows commissioned gradually with the time, the oldest date from 1470 ( Life of Christ ) and the newest are from 1988.
Behind the altar there is an extraordinary wooden choir with the Life of Sant’Ambrogio carved in 1572–1620.
The most spectacular item here, however, is 5m high Trivulzio Candelabrium with scenes from the Old Testament done in 12th century.
All over the church you will find many of interesting small details like the red light marking the place where Nail from the Cross is preserved, or 18th century meridian, which shows the astronomical noon at the time, when sun from the aisle touches the marked point.
The Roof Terraces feature panoramic views of the city and are easy accessible by the lift from inside the church.
Piazza del Duomo.
phone: 02-860-358
Free admission to the church; daily 6:50am–7pm.
Separate tickets to the roofs, baptistery and the crypts.
[ photo courtesy of Friar's Balsam]
