The heart of the city of Milan is the large Cathedral Square. It is like a silver tray on which the main pearls of Milan sparkle - the Duomo Cathedral, the Royal Palace and the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery.
Duomo Cathedral in Milan (Duomo di Milano) is a truly unique architectural monument in the style of Flaming Gothic (Flamboyant).
It is also a symbol of the Catholic faith for residents of the city and country. The Dome Cathedral, striking in its size and unique blend of architectural styles, is made entirely of white marble. The monumental building is inferior in size to all three Christian churches in the world - St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Seville Cathedral and St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
History of construction
The construction of the Cathedral of Milan began at the end of the 14th century. In order to lay the foundation of a vast building, it was necessary to remove the ruins of the winter basilica (Basilica vetus), which stood on Cathedral Square until the end of the 12th century. Numerous wars for the territory, and subsequently religious clashes, brought great damage to Milan. And the city authorities decided to give oblivion to the old religious buildings in order to get a place for a new strong and beautiful cathedral.
Archbishop Antonio de Saluzzi ordered to lay the first stone in the foundation of the Duomo Cathedral in 1386. However, the initial construction plan underwent a number of changes, and in the middle of the 15th century the second church on Cathedral Square was abolished.
It was called the summer basilica (Basilica di Santa Tecla), and until its last days it served the parishioners, taking over the functions of the winter basilica, which had been destroyed earlier.
The construction of the new cathedral began with careful planning of the area. Thrifty Italians decided to use materials from dismantled buildings in the upcoming construction. To decorate the cathedral, the archbishop chose marble of a delicate white and pink hue, which was mined in the quarry of Candolier, which is located in Piedmont. A group of construction masters from Lombardy, led by architect Simone de Orsenigo, set about translating plans into reality. The main architectural style was the chosen late Gothic style, in which the strong influence of the Bohemian school was felt.
The process of building a new cathedral found a lively response from the residents of the city, which was noted by the head of Milan Gian Galeazzo Visconti (Gian Galeazzo Visconti). By the beginning of the 15th century, the state was not in charge of monumental construction. The desire to strengthen the Italian monarchy and raise the status of Milan in a religious environment, forced Visconti to force the construction of the building. Building materials were exempted from taxes, especially valuable ones were labeled AUF, which meant “for construction purposes”.
Transformation of architectural style
Since the total time spent on the construction of the Duomo Cathedral is approaching the mark of 7 centuries, there is nothing surprising in a grandiose mixture of styles in its design. The architect’s basic plan was designed for a three-nave building with two turret chapels on each side. The successor of the Italian masters, the Frenchman, introduced elements of the Gothic style, popular in his homeland. It was also decided to abandon the chapels in favor of an expanded five-nave basilica.
In order to correctly design such a colossal building, the mathematician Gabriele Stornaloko was invited to help architects. Thanks to his calculations, it became clear that the central nave of the cathedral should not exceed 45 meters, and the side naves would be built in a downward line. In addition, the problems encountered with the delivery of heavy marble slabs and stone blocks to great heights helped to solve the engineer Jean Minho.
The efforts of the city governor of Milan were not in vain; by the middle of the 15th century, almost half of the construction work had already been completed. However, political instability in the country and problems with financing slowed the process down over the next 40 years. Some finishing work was carried out, the central altar of the cathedral was installed and consecrated.
The beginning of the 16th century was marked by the end of work on the dome, which was decorated with many statues from the inside. To be precise, the sculptures depicting Catholic saints and martyrs lined up in four rows, each of which contained 15 statues. Outside, a lancet spire aimed at the sky was an example of Renaissance architecture by Giulietto del Amadeo.
By the middle of the 16th century, the time of Spanish prevalence had begun in Italian lands, which could not but affect the fate of the Milan Cathedral. The new government decided to use it for church needs, but did not provide significant financial support for the completion of construction. For the interior of the church, several pilasters were created that frame the altar. A large organ was also installed, a statue of St. Bartholomew, the patron saint of all fishermen, and an old 5-meter Loretan candlestick.
The new archbishop of Milan, elected at the end of the 16th century, decided to intervene in the construction of the cathedral. Carl Borromeo did not like the significant influence of foreign architectural schools. He abolishes a number of elements of interior design, and at the head of the construction puts the Italian master - Pellegrino Pellegrini (Pellegrino Pellegrini).
The unfinished Gothic cathedral was to soften in a renaissance setting. In particular, the architect decided to decorate the building from the outside with the help of tall columns and a number of statues.
Despite the fact that the internal and external works in the cathedral were still far from complete, in 1577, the archbishop illuminates it. Until the 40s of the 17th century, the exterior decoration of the building continued in the Renaissance style. However, the change of lead architect marked a return to the Gothic style. Thus, five doors and two central windows received lancet tops, instead of the expected smooth lines of the Renaissance.
The formation of appearance
Milan Cathedral was dedicated to the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which architects skillfully beat in the process of exterior decoration of the building. Francesco Croce performed the calculations and drafted a 102-meter-long spire. This spire is central to the dome of the Duomo, crowned with a 4-meter gilded sculpture of the Virgin Mary (La Madonina). This saint is the patroness of the city.
Napoleon Bonaparte himself, an Italian by birth, chose the cathedral in Milan for the upcoming coronation. For the next 7 years, finishing work was actively carried out in the building. Late Gothic elements interspersed with neo-Gothic completed the unusual style of the cathedral. The magnificent ceremony of Napoleon's assumption of the post of king of Italy took place on May 20, 1805 under the openwork arches of the Duomo. In honor of this memorable event, a statue of Bonaparte was made that adorns one of the spiers of the cathedral.
Since then another half century has passed, during which the finishing of the external and internal surfaces continued. And only in 1965 the construction of the cathedral was officially completed, and it began to function in full force. From the middle of the 16th century until that moment, the church was partially open to parishioners; rites were performed in it only in exceptional cases. Recent work on the reconstruction of the cathedral was carried out in 2003-09.
What is famous for the cathedral of Milan
The magnificent Gothic-Renaissance monument in the heart of Milan has a number of striking features. If we turn to the numbers, the cathedral has a decent capacity, about 40 thousand parishioners, which is somewhat inferior to the volumes of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Rome. 
If you look at the building from a bird's eye view, it will become clear that it resembles a Catholic cross with a vertical of 158 m and a horizontal nave of 92 m. The highest point of the cathedral is a spire decorated with a statue of the Virgin Mary, whose combined height is 106 m However, the first acquaintance with the Duomo does not begin with dry statistics, but with visual perception. And in this regard, the building has something to brag about, the snow-white bulk of the cathedral grows in width and height as it approaches it. With every step, a person who finds himself on Cathedral Square will discover the new beauties of this church. The five-nave basilica directs the sharp spears of 135 spiers into the sky. Each of them is intricately finished with stucco molding in the late Gothic style.
The facade of the building, its spiers and interior, are decorated with an unimaginable number of statues - 3400. This number includes images of historical figures, saints, martyrs, prophets and other biblical characters. Not without the faithful symbols of the Middle Ages - gargoyles and chimeras. They, like the true attributes of Gothic, nestled on the walls of the building, driving away evil spirits. Among the exterior decoration of the building there are very interesting specimens, for example, the image of Mussolini or the ancient prototype of the Statue of Liberty, which now stands in the United States.
Another highlight of the Duomo is the appearance of white-pink marble in various lighting conditions. Someone likes the cathedral in the rays of the dawn sun, other people prefer the soft reflections of the sunset. The famous German poet Heine claimed that there is nothing more mystical and more beautiful than the Milanese Duomo, illuminated by silver moonlight.
Interesting facts and myths
Visitors who have stepped over the threshold of the Duomo Cathedral are awaited by coolness and dim light. Many colorful stained-glass windows illustrate biblical subjects, reflections of blue, red and yellow glasses are fantastically reflected on the floors and walls of the church. And above the central altar, high under the dome, is a large relic - the nail with which Jesus Christ was crucified.
Once a year, September 14, the day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Milan archbishop rises to the ceiling in order to remove the nail and present it to the parishioners.
Toward the sunset of the 18th century, a sundial was installed in the cathedral, a meridian designed to mark the onset of noon. This device looks like a metal strip mounted on the floor of a building. She stretched from the entrance to the cathedral through the whole church. The strip contains images of the zodiac signs and corresponding markings. At exactly noon, the sun ray touching the metal ruler will show the constellation that is characteristic of the current month. In addition to its main purpose, the miracle meridian pointed to an invisible danger threatening the integrity of the Duomo. Systematic errors in the instrument readings discovered in the 20th century indirectly indicated a subsidence of the building's foundation.
Inside the cathedral you can admire the artfully decorated sarcophagi of famous people of the past. Thus, the body of Archbishop Alberto de Intimiano is stored in a stone pedestal lined with thin copper plates that form a crucifix ornament. You can also see the mausoleum of Gian Giacomo Medici, decorated with three magnificent statues, columns and marble slabs.
It was previously believed that the author of this amazing example of architecture was Michelangelo himself. In the 20th century, art critics determined for certain that Leone Leoni carried out stone work, which, however, does not detract from the beauty of the decor.
The mentioned mausoleum was one of the last burials inside the cathedral. At the end of the 16th century, a decree was issued prohibiting the preservation of the remains of the deceased within the walls of the church, in order to avoid epidemics and the spread of diseases.
If you are lucky enough to visit Milan at the end of autumn, then be sure to check out the Duomo Cathedral. In November and December of each year, the Quadroni of St. Carl Borromeo is exhibited in its walls - a series of 54 paintings illustrating the life and deeds of this person. A whole galaxy of famous Italian brush masters painted canvases specifically for the Milan Cathedral.
A separate attraction of the Duomo can be called a breathtaking view from the terrace located on the roof of the building. Conveniently arranged observation platform allows you to freely move around the roof of the cathedral. A real gift for all visitors, because the best view of the city is simply impossible to find in all of Milan. And, in addition, visitors will be able to see nearby lace lace spiers, the exterior of the cathedral, chiseled silhouettes of statues and appreciate the magnificence of the cathedral, aged 7 centuries.
Address
Duomo Cathedral is located at Milan, Cathedral Square (Piazza Duomo).
Getting to this amazing attraction is most convenient by metro. The first and third lines are suitable, exit at the Duomo station.
Find a hotel near the Duomo Cathedral
Opening hours and ticket prices
Duomo Cathedral is open to visitors daily from 7:00 to 19:00, the last group of visitors starts no later than 18:45. A visit to the cathedral for believers is free in the morning, a prerequisite is respect for decency in clothing and behavior.
A ticket for tourists costs 3 euros, you can enter from 8 in the morning.
Visitors can also take photographs inside the cathedral, however, identity documents must be issued in advance (price - 2 euros). All photo materials should not be used for personal gain. On Saturday and Sunday, the schedule of the cathedral is from 8:30 to 18:00. On church holidays - a special mode of operation. Climbing to the terraces in the Winter season is from 9:00 to 19:00, the last load of the elevator is at 18:10. The opening of the winter season on September 16th.
There are different types of tickets for visiting the cathedral, crypts and observation deck, costing from 3 to 25 euros. The differences between the tickets are presented in the photo below:
There are also options for combined tickets:
A full ticket with a move to all parts of the cathedral without waiting in line for elevators to the terraces will cost 26.5 euros. It is bought in advance online here.
Terrace climb
From Monday to Wednesday - from 9:00 to 19:00, the last lift lift at 18:10. From Thursday to Sunday - from 9:00 to 21:00, the last lift of the elevator at 20:10. The beginning of the Summer season is April 10th.
The cost of visiting the terraces: with a lift on the elevator -14 euros; a walk up the stairs, for the most powerful and economical tourists, will cost 10 euros per person. If you do not want to queue at the box office, which can be up to an hour in a season, I advise you to purchase tickets in advance +1.5 euros online.
Tickets can be purchased at official ticket offices at www.ticketone.it. We go to the events page in the cathedral and select, for example, the elevator lift (Ascensore), press Acquista ora.
Choose the date you need, tickets are on sale for the next six months. For example, in April, I know that I will fly to Milan in September and plan a cultural program in advance.
I recommend booking a visit to the terrace from 8:00 to 10:00 in the morning, or from 16:00 to 18:00, when the most beautiful light. For example, take 2 adults (Intero) and one child ticket for a child under 12 years old (Ridotto).
Click - put in the basket (Metti nel carello). Check the date, time. The cost of three tickets was 36.50 + 2.50 euros for an online reservation. Click - payment (Procedi con l'acquisto).
Next, you need to enter your login password on the site or create a new account - it is intuitively simple, but if you suddenly encounter difficulties, then here is a detailed instruction. After payment, the tickets will come to your mail, and will always be available in your account. You just have to come to the entrance at the appointed time bypassing all the lines.
In addition, for a fee you can visit the Treasury of the Duomo Cathedral (3 euros), as well as the Baptistery of St. Giovanni alle Fonti (4 euros). There is the possibility of buying combined tickets at a reduced price.
- The official website of the Duomo Cathedral in English, current ticket prices and opening hours: www.duomomilano.it
- Individual tours in Milan in Russian: gid.italy4.me
- Group excursions to the cathedral in English: www.tiqets.com - 27 euros, an hour and a half, elevator tickets are already included in the price.
Attractions nearby - what to see?
As noted above, there are other interesting buildings on Cathedral Square, in addition to the cathedral.
If you walk through a glass passage with many boutiques and luxury shops for shopping dedicated to Vittorio Emmanuele II, you can soon get to Via Filodrammatici, 2. At this address is the most famous opera house in the world - La Scala, as well as a museum located at him. Although the exterior of the building, the theater can not be compared with the dazzling finish of the Duomo, its interiors can also give a surprise. And the main value of La Scala in the action that takes place on its stage.
