Milan Cathedral
A guide for the traveler in the iconic symbol of the city
Imagine yourself standing in front of a huge masterpiece that seems to have leapt into our lives straight from the world of fairy tales. Towering white spiers, an army of intricate sculptures and an architecture out of this world - welcome to Milan's cathedral.
There is no traveler who does not know the iconic image of the Milan Cathedral, an architectural wonderland located in the bustling heart of the city of Milan. The city of Milan is known for its historical sites, the spectacular art that surrounds its streets and the world of fashion that looks at its visitors from all sides, but the number one attraction in the city is undoubtedly the Milan Cathedral.
This architectural wonder, called the Duomo di Milano, is a testament to the cultural heritage of the magical city and the dedication of generations of craftsmen to this masterpiece. Let's dive into the world of the magnificent cathedral:
The history behind the cathedral:
The Duomo di Milano has a long and fascinating history that begins somewhere in 1386, when the first Duke of Milan, Gian Galeazzo Visconti (Gian Galeazzo Visconti) decides to build a Gothic cathedral in the city. The decision to build the cathedral stemmed from the desire to replace the existing churches, which were small and could not accommodate the number of Christian worshipers that was growing in the city day by day.
Don't think that the story went so fast - the construction of the cathedral took no less than 600 years!.
The lengthy construction process of the cathedral is evident in the architectural styles incorporated in its design, which reflect the tastes and preferences that have changed throughout the various periods.
The one who started the construction process was a French architect named Nicolas de Bonaventure, who together with many architects, engineers and artists drew up the first sketch of the magnificent church.
The construction of the church, which is known to have taken about 600 years, was a slow and arduous process. By the end of the 15th century the main structure of the cathedral was mostly completed, but the front of the church remained unfinished until the beginning of the 17th century. In the following centuries, changes and additions were made to the cathedral which included new statues, decorations and wall paintings.
During the 19th century, the cathedral underwent a significant restoration that sought to emphasize the original Gothic style, and in fact restore its crown to its former glory. As part of the renovation, many baroque elements that were added to the church over the years were removed or changed.
Only in 1965 was the construction of the church completely finished, and a huge celebration was held in the city on the occasion of this event.
Today, the Duomo di Milano is considered an architectural wonder that displays the history, heritage and art of the many generations that worked to build it.
The church is considered the largest church in Italy and the fifth largest church in the world, and it attracts millions of visitors every year who come to admire its architectural beauty and its cultural and religious significance.
The architectural design of the church:
The spectacular church is designed in a Gothic style, characterized by the use of pointed arches which are recognizable throughout the church.
The facade of the cathedral is decorated with no less than 2,000 statues, a prominent feature that sets it apart from other European cathedrals. The church also boasts an impressive number of spiers - 135 in number, which create a unique silhouette against the Milan skyline.
One of the most famous elements in the design of the cathedral is the gilded copper statue of the Madonnina (Statue of the Madonnina), a symbol of Milan, which stands on top of the highest spire in the church, at a height of 108 meters above the ground. The Madonna is actually a statue of the Virgin Mary, and for many is considered a symbol of the connection between the holy and the profane in the city. The patrons of the church and the residents of the city believe that the Holy Mary protects the residents of the city from above.
In fact, a local tradition that became a kind of unwritten law in the city stipulated that no building in the city would exceed the height of the Madonna. When tall buildings began to be built in the modern city, architects and contractors of some of the buildings decided to place small replicas of the Madonna statue on top of the skyscrapers, and today you can find dozens of small Madonna statues on top of skyscrapers in the city.
Milan's cathedral is impressive from the outside, but it is just as amazing from the inside. When you enter the cathedral, you can't help but be surprised by the size of the church, which can hold up to 40,000 people, and its nave (the top part of the churches), is considered one of the tallest naves in the world.
The colored stained glass windows, most of which are from the 15th century, depict biblical scenes and stories and immerse the church visitors in a world of color and light.
Art treasures:
The Duomo di Milano is not only an architectural masterpiece but also a magnificent artistic treasure. The cathedral contains a huge number of sculptures, works and frescoes representing different periods of Italian and Christian history.
Among the works in the cathedral you can find the statue of Saint Bartholomew (Statue of Saint Bartholomew), which was carved by the artist Marco d'Agreta in 1562, and is considered one of the most amazing examples of Renaissance sculpture.
In the cathedral you will find a spectacular combination of religion versus science, the world of the sacred beside the world of the profane, as the cathedral has statues of Christian saints, prophets and biblical figures alongside geometric designs and complex patterns that symbolize the harmony and order of the universe.
The observation decks of the Duomo:
A visit to the Duomo di Milano would not be complete without going up to the terraces of the cathedral, which offer a panoramic view of the magical city. The observation decks can be accessed by stairs or an elevator. The high terraces will take you on a journey between art and landscape, on one side of which you can walk between the minarets and statues of the church, and on the other side admire the panoramic view towards the city.
What not to miss when visiting the Milan Cathedral:
- Admire the outside- The exterior of the cathedral is decorated with intricate Gothic details, 135 spiers and more than 2,000 statues. Take the time to appreciate the intricate stonework and stunning facade of the cathedral which took centuries to complete.
- Visit the cathedral's crypt- Under the altar of the cathedral, which is in its center, lies the crypt, where you can view the remains of Saint Charles Borromeo, the former archbishop of Milan.
- Explore the works of art in the cathedral- As we wrote above, the Duomo contains magnificent sculptures, beautiful frescoes and ancient works full of color and history. Don't miss the Statue of Saint Bartholomew, and the Trivulzio Candelabrum, an ancient bronze lamp from the 12th century.
- Go up to the observation terraces- Go up to the roof terraces of the cathedral, by stairs or elevator, for a unique opportunity to walk among the minarets and magnificent statues of the cathedral. The terraces offer amazing panoramic views of the city of Milan and even beyond.
- Discover the Church Museum (Museo del Duomo)- If you have time left and have not exhausted the experience of visiting the cathedral, visit the nearby Duomo Museum, which presents the history, art and architecture of the church in an artistic and special way. In the museum you will find various objects and findings, including sculptures, wall paintings and original documents dealing with the cathedral and its many years of construction.
Where is it located and how to get there?
The Cathedral of Milan is located in the central square in the city, Piazza del Duomo, and therefore getting to it is convenient and accessible from all parts of the city.
The easiest and most convenient way to get to the Duomo di Milano is by using the Milan metro. Two metro lines reach the cathedral: line 1 (red) and line 3 (yellow). Both lines have a stop at the "Duomo" station, which is right next to the cathedral.
Several tram lines also pass by the cathedral, including lines 2, 3, 12, 14, 16, 19 and 27. The closest stations to the Duomo are Torino and Duomo.
Of course, if you come to the cathedral from the center of the city, you can reach it on foot.
Order in the chaos - types of tickets to the Cathedral of Milan:
We are here to put order in the mess, and when you get to the cathedral you will notice quite a bit of it. There are several types of different tickets that include access to different areas and complexes in the cathedral:
The full ticket - access to all the cathedral sites by stairs (Cathedral & Rooftop by Stairs)
A ticket that includes access to all the sites of the cathedral and access to the observation terraces via stairs.
Ticket price: 18.5 euros for an adult, 10.5 euros for a child up to the age of 17. A child up to the age of 5 - 1.5 euros.
The full ticket - access to all the cathedral sites by stairs with an audio guide for an independent tour (Cathedral & Rooftop by Stairs with Audio Guide)
A ticket that includes access to all the cathedral sites and access to the observation terraces via stairs, and a personal audio device with instruction in English or other languages of your choice (Hebrew is not an option).
Ticket price: 25 euros for an adult, 18 euros for a child up to the age of 17. A child up to the age of 5 – 1.5 euros.
Full ticket - access to all cathedral sites by elevator (Cathedral & Rooftop by Elevator)
A ticket that includes access to all the sites of the cathedral and access to the observation terraces via elevator.
Ticket price: 27 euros for an adult, 14.5 euros for a child up to the age of 17. A child up to the age of 5 - 1.5 euros.
The full ticket - access to all the cathedral sites by elevator with an audio guide for an independent tour (Cathedral & Rooftop by Stairs with Audio Guide)
A ticket that includes access to all the sites of the cathedral and access to the observation terraces via elevator, and a personal audio device with instruction in English or other languages of your choice (Hebrew is not an option).
Ticket price: 32 euros for an adult, 21 euros for a child up to the age of 17. A child up to the age of 5 – 1.5 euros.
Milan: Fast-Track Milan Cathedral and Terraces Guided Tour:
Enjoy a guided tour in English of about an hour and a half in Milan's cathedral, including the terraces and the archaeological area below the cathedral.
The tour will take you to the front of the impressive church, where you will hear a detailed and fascinating guide, enter the interior of the church and admire the works of art that decorate it.
Afterwards, you will continue to the roof terraces by elevator for a breathtaking view of the city of Milan, and continue below the church, to the fascinating archaeological area.
After the guided tour, you can visit the Duomo Museum and the Church of San Gottardo on your own.
The price of the tour: 35 euros for an adult, 23 euros for a child aged 12-18, 21 euros for a child up to the age of 12 and the tour is free for children under the age of 5.
The price of the tour includes of course the entrance ticket to the parts of the cathedral
Ticket for the cathedral view only Rooftop Terraces Ticket - No Church Access))
Those of you who are not interested in a visit inside the cathedral will be able to purchase an admission ticket for the cathedral terraces only.
Ticket price: going up the stairs - 13.5 euros per ticket
Elevator ride - 20 euros per ticket.
Church opening hours:
The Duomo Cathedral is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m.
The Cathedral Lookout is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 19:00 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 20:00 p.m.
The Duomo Museum is open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m.
Important tips:
- Plan the visit in advance- The cathedral can be very crowded, especially during peak seasons, so it is recommended to purchase tickets online before arriving at the cathedral, which will save you long lines and ensure quick entry to the site.
- Take enough time– The Duomo di Milano has a lot to offer, from the spectacular facade of the church to the amazing interiors, through the roof terraces and the museum. Allow at least 2-3 hours to fully explore and appreciate the cathedral.
- Arrived at low hours- To avoid heavy traffic in the cathedral, it is recommended to arrive at the cathedral early in the morning or in the afternoon. Also, try to come on midweek days, which are less busy than the weekends.
- Visit the observation deck at sunset- A special experience that will make the visit to the church nothing less than perfect is to watch the sunset from the beautiful observation terraces. Try to get to the cathedral in the afternoon and end the visit at the beautiful observation deck, which turns golden and glitters at sunset.
- Equip yourself with a camera- The Duomo di Milano is a photographer's paradise, with its spectacular architecture, beautiful stained glass windows and the panoramic view of the city of Milan from the observation terraces. This is perhaps the iconic and best place in town for an enviable photo for your Instagram page.
- Combine the visit with the city center sites- Combine your visit to the cathedral with a visit to nearby attractions such as Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Royal Palace of Milan (Palazzo Reale) and the La Scala Opera House.
- וCheck out the opening hours- Since the cathedral is an active religious site, and religious ceremonies are held there from time to time, the hours of visiting the church sometimes change. It is recommended to check the operating hours on the cathedral's official website.
In conclusion, when your adventure in the Duomo di Milano is coming to an end and you are standing just before exiting the spectacular cathedral hall, it is hard not to feel a sense of excitement. The masterpiece called Duomo di Milano is not only a feast for the eyes, but a playground for the imagination, where stories of devotion, art and history come to life. With the cathedral bells ringing in your ears, you'll leave your visit to the magical cathedral with a new appreciation for the boundless creativity and ambition of the human race. Don't miss a visit to the observation deck, and be impressed by the spectacular works of art scattered throughout the cathedral's spaces.
