Duomo di Milano, also called the Milan Cathedral, is the Roman Catholic church of Milan and an iconic landmark of the city. The Duomo is dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente (Nativity of St.Mary) and is the seat of the Archbishop of Milan. The construction of the Duomo di Milano began more than six centuries ago, in 1386, and was completed in 1965. The Milan Duomo is one of the largest churches in the world and the largest church in the Italian Republic, given that St.Peter’s Basilica belongs to the sovereign state of the Vatican. The Duomo has undergone renovations since then to preserve its original state.
Construction of the Milan Duomo began under the direction of Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo and architect Simone da Orsenigo. Over the centuries, numerous architects, engineers, and artists contributed to its design and creation. The cathedral’s construction faced many interruptions, including financial challenges, changes in architectural plans, and wars. As a result, it took nearly six centuries for the cathedral to reach its current form. The cathedral was initially built in the Gothic style and later drew inspiration from Renaissance architecture.
How to get to Duomo di Milano
The Duomo is located in the heart of the city of Milan, Italy. Primarily, Milan is served by three airports, Malpensa, Linate, and Bergamo. Although Linate airport is the closest to the city center of Milan, it does not see too much international traffic, unlike Malpensa airport. Take a look at the Milan airports guide
to decide what suits you best and the transfer options from Milan airport to the city center. Taxi from the airport to Duomo is the fastest and most convenient option, although it is pricier.
Trains and buses from the airport and other parts of Italy will most likely take you to Milan Central Station. From the Milano Centrale station
, taking the metro/subway is one of the easiest ways to get to the Milan Duomo. At the station, access the metro at the lower levels of the building. Take the M3 (yellow) metro line heading towards San Donato and in 4 stops, less than 10 mins, you will reach the Duomo di Milano. The Duomo metro stop has two metro lines M1 (red) and M3 (yellow) passing through, making it accessible via both. Check out the article on the various ticket fares of Milan public transport
and tips on what you should be getting.
Architecture
The Duomo di Milano is famous for its architecture characterized by its soaring spires, pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses. It represents the pinnacle of medieval European architecture. The Duomo is 108 meters tall with a capacity of 40000 and has 135 spires. It is built using both brick and marble. The church nave has a height of 45 meters and is believed to be the highest Gothic vault of a church.
The exterior beauty of the Milan Cathedral
The exterior facade consists of an intricate profusion of sculptures, featuring religious figures, saints, and biblical scenes. In the exterior of Duomo di Milano, the centerpiece is the large bronze door known as the Door of St. Mary (Porta di Santa Maria). It features relief sculptures depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. Above the main entrance is a stunning rose window with detailed stone tracery. This window allows colorful light to filter into the cathedral’s interior.
Interior magnificence of the Duomo
The interior of the Duomo di Milano is equally captivating as its exterior, boasting an opulent and awe-inspiring ambiance. The nave is vast and supported by numerous marble columns. The interior is illuminated by an array of stained glass windows each depicting different religious scenes and stories. The Duomo di Milano features numerous altars and side chapels, each dedicated to different saints and religious figures. Some of the main relics in the cathedral are the statue of Saint Bartholomew, and the Holy Nail, one of the nails used during the Crucifixion of Christ.
Rooftop Terrace
The rooftop terrace of the Duomo is a massive area offering breathtaking panoramic views of Milan. It is one of the main draws when visiting the Milan Cathedral. Visitors can access the terrace by stairs or an elevator and walk along the deck while seeing the beautiful Milan cityscape. Climbing up the stairs is not too difficult and it takes around 5 minutes to reach the top. Taking the elevator is the more convenient choice but is priced slightly higher.
Madonnina
The Milan Cathedral is crowned by the famous Madonnina, a golden statue of the Virgin Mary, and can be seen from various parts of the city with the right weather. The Madonnina spire was raised at a height of 108.5 meters in 1762 and the statue was built in 1774. Traditionally, no building is higher than the Madonnina in Milan. In the recent past, there have been much taller buildings, like the Pirelli Tower, Palazzo Lombardia, and the Allianz Tower, all of which have a replica of the Madonnina at the top, maintaining it as the highest point in the city. The fierce and world-famous local rivalry between two of the most iconic football clubs, AC Milan and Inter Milan, is called Derby della Madonnina, named after the Madonnina statue.
Archaeological Area
Beneath the cathedral, there is an archeological area where visitors can explore the remains of early Christian baptisteries and ancient foundations dating back to Roman times. This area provides insight into the cathedral’s historical evolution.
Tickets to the Milan Cathedral
Visitors must buy tickets to access the Duomo di Milano, and the entrance is not free. There are several ticket options available based on the time, area, and mode of access. Here is an overview of the ticket pricing at the time of this writing. Tickets to access the Milan Duomo, Duomo Museum, and the terraces by stairs are priced at 16€, and for the same areas but if you prefer taking the lift to the terrace, it costs 22€. The fast-track access to the terraces, Duomo, the Museum, and the Archaeological Area costs 28€.
Make sure to take a look at the Duomo’s official website
for all the various ticketing options, the latest prices, and the operating hours. It is recommended to buy the tickets online since it helps avoid the long queues. The dress etiquette for visitors is to wear clothing that covers your knees and shoulders. Additionally, the official website depicts what is allowed and what is not allowed in terms of clothing, pets, and other items.
Nearby Duomo
From the city layout of Milan, we can see streets emerging and encircling the Duomo, making it quite literally the heart of the city. Piazza del Duomo is the main square of Milan, facing the cathedral and enclosed by shops, bars, and restaurants. The lavish Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is the oldest shopping mall and is almost adjacent to the Milan Cathedral.
The Museo del Novecento
is also located in the same square and is home to modern art from the 20th century. Other major attractions such as the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana and Teatro alla Scala are a short walk away from the Duomo.
Conclusion
The Milan Cathedral is an architectural marvel and an iconic symbol representing the city of Milan. Milan’s Duomo is undoubtedly one of the most popular attractions and is certainly worth the visit. It is an awe-inspiring sight that leaves visitors admiring the intricate details and experiencing a sense of wonder and reverence within its sacred walls. Such is the grandeur of the Duomo di Milano, the crown jewel of Milan, Italy.
comments powered by Disqus