Duomo di Milano

Milan’s Duomo is a massive marbled structure that has dominated the city centre for almost 600 years. It is the world’s largest Gothic cathedral and the third largest of all churches.

Construction of the Duomo began in 1386, but the final details weren’t completed until 1965, almost six centuries later. More than 70 architects and engineers had responsibility for the project at different times and each one brought his own style and influence to the work.

It’s not surprising then, that while some describe Milan’s cathedral as the most important Gothic structure in the country, others have been critical of it. The Duomo has had some well known visitors over the years; here’s what some of them had to say about it:

‘Those groups of dazzling spires…those sculptured shapes…beyond any thing I had every imagined architecture capable of producing.’
Percy Bysshe Shelley, 1818

The cathedral steals ‘from every style in the world: and every style spoiled.’
John Ruskin, 1849

‘They say that the Cathedral of Milan is second only to St. Peter’s at Rome. I cannot understand how it can be second to anything made by human hands.’
Mark Twain, 1869

‘The Cathedral is an awful failure … it is, however, imposing and gigantic as a failure, through its great size and elaborate execution.’
Oscar Wilde, 1875

Opinions may vary but, like it or not, there can be no denying the impact of the Duomo di Milano.

The Duomo is the heart of the city -Milan's streets encircle the Cathedral and radiate out from it

The Duomo's five naves are divided by 52 pillars, one for each week of the year

The three huge stained glass windows in the apse are considered to be the highest in the world

The Cathedral's floor of pink, black and red marble dates from the 15th century

This altar, the Altar of San Giovanni Buono, is dedicated to a 7th century bishop

The Cathedral sustained some damage during WWII but the stained glass was saved by being completely removed before the bombing and reinstated after the war

In a major restoration project from 1962-1992, over 1700 sqm of stained glass windows, plus around 800 sqm of decorated glass were restored

The golden statue of the Virgin Mary, La Madonnina, stands on the Cathedral's highest spire; an exact replica - created for Milan's Expo 2015 - is displayed inside the Duomo

The Duomo had its own pavilion at the Exposition

Napoleon was crowned King of Italy here in 1805

Marble for the Cathedral comes from the Candoglia quarries about 130 km north-west of Milan

The mottled pink Candoglia marble is at its best in the soft glow of sunset

The effects of air pollution and weather mean the Cathedral is in a constant state of deterioration and restoration

Parts are replicated and replaced as necessary

Fortunately, though, there's no shortage of marble; the Duomo has had continuous, exclusive use of the Candoglia quarries since 1387

The Cathedral is protected by 96 gargoyles

135 spires and pinnacles adorn its roof; inside and out there are more than 3100 statues

In 2014 the sensible 'Get Your Spire' fundraising drive was initiated; donors can choose the specific spire on which their restoration funds will be spent, and get their name on the donor register too

With a footprint of 12,000 square metres, the Duomo di Milano holds up to 40,000 people