Milan Cathedral opening hours. Milan Cathedral: history, interesting facts and how to visit. Conditions for visiting the temple

Milan Cathedral The Duomo is a symbol not only of this multifaceted city, but also of Italy as a whole abroad, so it is not so easy to talk about it.

Construction of the Duomo began in 1388 and continued until early XIX centuries due to constant suspensions and changes to the project. Resulting in Milan Cathedral- this is not one historical style, but a peculiar mixture. A reinterpretation of Gothic, which later received the name flaming Gothic.

The beauty of Milan's Duomo Cathedral, as well as the history, facts and legends of its origins - you will learn all this below.

To prevent the story from becoming too monotonous, we divided it into two parts, one of which is devoted to the external appearance of the cathedral, and the other to the internal appearance. Let's begin!

The legend of the origin of the Duomo

The story of the Cathedral begins as a dream, and a terrible dream at that. According to legend, one night in 1386 year in a dream to Gian Galeazzo Visconti the devil appeared and ordered him to build a building decorated with many demonic images. In case of disobedience, the soul of the ruler will be doomed to eternal torment.

Gian Galeazzo Visconti, tormented by the fires of hell, with the knowledge of Archbishop Antonio Da Saluzzo, began the construction of an architectural work of art containing satanic images. Unfortunately, Gian Galeazzo died in 1402 without ever seeing the completed work, which required more than 500 years of persistent, unflappable work.

Milan Cathedral, of course, was not built in honor of the devil, but in honor of the Holy Virgin Mary. But according to its theme, internal and external design. Thanks to 96 sculptural compositions out of 3400 were of a demonic nature, it recalls its mystical origins.

Duomo construction site

The cathedral grew on the site where the cathedral stood before it Santa Maria Maggiore, or winter cathedral, and Basilica of Santa Tecla, or the summer cathedral (today partially visible in the basement of the Cathedral).

The choice of such a site for construction was mainly based on the impossibility of restoring the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the bell of which, having fallen off, destroyed part of the nave and facade. Also on the desire of the archbishop to build a new large cathedral in the most ancient religious part of the city.

Many immediately began to transfer money for construction; in fact, many did so not for religious reasons, but in order to obtain indulgences first from the archbishop and then from Pope Boniface IX. This custom has not changed for centuries. Even today it is possible to transfer funds which will be recorded in the Donations Register held by the archives of the Honorable Cathedral Building, founded in 1387 and responsible for the design, construction and - currently - restoration of the Cathedral.

Duomo and Candoglia marble

The cathedral is entirely made of marble. Gian Galeazzo Visconti himself wished that the future Cathedral would be built not of brick, but of marble, so that everyone who sees it would take their breath away. For these purposes, marble was chosen from the Candoglia quarries, located more than a hundred kilometers from Milan, but having marble of the highest quality, known since the time of the Roman Empire, but not previously fully used due to the difficulty of transportation. These difficulties did not bother the Milanese, and the Grand Fleet began to be used for transportation in the era of shipping.

Let us remember that until the mid-19th century. Milan was a major shipping city, crisscrossed by canals that were mainly used for transporting goods, so huge blocks of marble were transported across the water and unloaded near Lake San Stefano. It was in what is today Via Laghetto (one of many other streets that testify to the canals that are today underground) that the marble was lifted by special mechanisms and transported on carts to the docks nearby
Cathedral, the so-called stonemasons' cheese factory, where developers, architects, and sculptors were already engaged in it.

In fact, the difficulty was not only in the delivery of the material, but also in its extraction, which took a lot of time and was even somewhat risky. But even then no one gave up! Huts were built near the quarries where workers lived and where food and necessary tools. It was not until 1874 that a road was built there.

In memory of the history of the quarries, two memorial slabs, entirely made of marble, are installed in Candoglia today. The marble mining area is closed to visitors, but excursions are organized for those interested twice a year. During which it is also possible to visit restoration workshops, where victims of time and exposure are brought environment pieces of the Milan Cathedral to make copies. Particles that have served their time are not simply restored, but destroyed.

A little historical fact: Candoglia marble was only used in the construction of the Milan Cathedral, hence its economic value is incredibly high.

Designing the Duomo: Leonardo da Vinci, Bramante and Amadeo

There were many architects, engineers and designers who worked on the construction of the Cathedral. Among the stories associated with the long construction process, we recall the problem with the tiburium (a certain architectural design of domes typical of the Renaissance), which was present in the plans of the 14th century, but was not realized due to technical problems: when trying to build it, it kept collapsed.

However, Ludovico Moro still managed to achieve its construction.

IN 1487 year, the Duke of Milan announced a competition among engineers and architects to find a solution to the problem of building a tiburium. Leonardo da Vinci and Bramante, among others, responded to the call, presenting a wooden model of the project, which, unfortunately, has not survived to this day. He embodied their idea, on which the treatise Opinio super Domicilium seu Templum Magnum was subsequently written. This is the only theoretical text that has partially come down to us in translation. The project won the competition Giovanni Antonio Amadeo, close in solution to the Lombard tradition.

Milan Duomo Cathedral - external appearance

Sculptures, gargoyles, spiers and the Duomo Museum

The Milan Cathedral amazes with the number of external sculptures, gargoyles, spiers that are impossible to appreciate. Fortunately, inside the Cathedral Museum you can see the spiers of the Duomo up close - an indescribable spectacle.

It's impossible to imagine how rich the elements are until you see them up close and maybe then you can notice image of boxers. Among other sculptures, four pairs of boxers during a fight stand out. This composition is dedicated to Primo Carnera, the first Italian world heavyweight champion in 1933 and Erminio Spalla, the first Italian European champion. Spalla, also known as a sculptor and opera singer, starred in the film “Miracle in Milan.”

In addition to boxers, you can also see images of the most “indigenous” regulars of the Cathedral and the square – pigeons!

Inside the Museum you can also find materials related to the history of the construction of the Cathedral, a Treasure collected from liturgical objects and objects of worship in the period from the 5th to the 17th centuries and which belonged to the Venerable Capital. If you happen to visit, be sure to check out the miter, made from colorful hummingbird feathers (I think there are only four of these in the world).

The Riddle of the Bell Tower

For all the numerous decorations of the Cathedral, you most likely will not notice the absence of a bell tower - one of the main elements of a classical church.

However, know that the bells are and have been here for 500 years!

Their three, and they are hidden in the free space of the tiburium of the main spire, between the outer and internal wall, ring them using movable hammers. Until 1866, the bells were located in the bell tower, a building on the terrace above the central nave, which was later destroyed. There were heated debates about the construction of a new bell tower, which did not lead to anything.

There was one grandiose project by Vico Vigano in 1938, which included many of the most unimaginable architectural solutions. He was even approved by Mussolini. However, unfortunately or fortunately, the idea was criticized, since otherwise the bell tower could surpass the Cathedral in complexity and even in height.

Madonna

One of the most famous elements of the Cathedral is, of course, the Madonna. It took its current location - on the central spire - only in 1774. This is the creation of a sculptor Giuseppe Perego, carver Giuseppe Antignani and jeweler Giuseppe Bini.

It is striking that the statue of the Madonna was erected on the spire without any ceremony or ritual. Moreover, they say that some, and among them Pietro Verri, a Milanese philosopher and historian, had serious fears that the weight of the statue might collapse the church. And also the fact that, made of metal, it will attract lightning.

It is also said that during World War II, the Madonna was covered with rags so that its gilded surface, which reflects rays, would not attract bombers to the church.

Already in 1848, during the Five Days of Milan, Luigi Torelli and Scipione Bagadgi raised the tricolor flag over the statue of the Virgin Mary. He awakened the faded spirit of the fighters on the barricades after a five-day lull, leading them to victory. To this day, during religious and secular holidays, the Italian flag flies on the halberd on the right of Assunta.

The statue of the Madonna is 4.16 m high and weighs about 399 kg, the supporting stainless steel plate weighs 585 kg, and the gold sheets with which the statue is lined weigh 6.75 kg.

The most famous and beloved song by Milanese is dedicated to the Madonna of the Cathedral. It was written by Giovanni D'Anzi one night in 1935. he thought that the time had come to compose a song for the Milanese, equal to the similar Neapolitan and Roman ones that flooded the streets in the thirties.

Until the construction of Pirellone, the Cathedral with the Madonna remained the tallest building in Milan. According to a law issued in the 30s, the Branca Di Gio Ponti Tower and the Velasca Tower must stand at a respectful distance of 108.5 m from the Madonna. Perhaps out of fear of soil subsidence - several meters of earth at the surface is a layer of soil experiencing pressure from the stone foundations of buildings. It was only in the 60s that Pirellone was built, which became taller than the Cathedral. According to tradition and out of respect for the Virgin Mary, a copy of the statue of the Madonna from the Cathedral was placed on the skyscraper.

Terraces of the Duomo - a breathtaking panorama of Milan

Milan Cathedral Of course, it impresses with its beauty in appearance, but that’s not all. You can also enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city from the Duomo terrace. Be sure to take an hour of your time to climb our terrace, believe me, it’s worth it.

You can go upstairs either by elevator or on foot: 201 steps separate the ground from the opportunity to enjoy the panorama of Milan. During your visit, you will be able to see 135 spiers, more than 180 statues and, of course, the main golden statue of the Duomo, the Madonina.

From the terraces of the Duomo you can also see the highest peaks of the city. Cadorna skyscraper, Sforza Castle in Milan, Velasca Tower, Porta Garibaldi and Pirelli towers, skyscrapers of Piazza della Repubblica.

Useful information about the Duomo

Address

Duomo Square (Piazza del Duomo, Milan)

How to get there

By car: To get around Milan you can rent a car or use.

Milan Cathedral The Duomo is located in the historical center of Milan, so you can’t get to the cathedral itself by car. However, you can drive to Piazza Fountains and then walk just 400 meters towards Piazza Duomo.

Metro: take the metro to Piazza Duomo, perhaps the most convenient option. Stop Milan Cathedral served by the red line (M1) and yellow (M3).

By tram: l The lines that reach Piazza Duomo are as follows:

• tram 15, stop at Fountain Square
• tram 2 and 14, stop in Via Torino
• tram 16, 24 and 27, Stop in Via Mazzini

Working hours

Duomo: seven days a week, from 7.00 to 19.00.

Terraces: seven days a week, from 9.00 to 19.00.

The Milan Cathedral or Duomo is located on the famous) and is an inimitable masterpiece of Italian architecture in the Flamboyant style ("Flaming Gothic"). Its facade is decorated with a huge number of amazing sculptures, thin columns, towers and spiers, which gives the cathedral so much grace and sophisticated Gothic beauty.

The impressive size of the Duomo makes it one of the largest Christian churches in the world: its capacity reaches 4,000 people.

Built entirely of snow-white marble, the cathedral is stunning at any time of the day and in any light. And in its interior decoration, art lovers will find a real treasure trove of priceless treasures.

The history of the Milan Cathedral

Construction of the Milan Cathedral began in 1386 under Gian Galeazzo Visconti and was completed only in 1813.

The very place where the Milan Cathedral was erected has been filled with the energy of sacred buildings from time immemorial. So, during the Celtic culture there was a sanctuary here, during the Roman Empire - the Temple of Minerva, from the 4th to 6th centuries - the Church of Santa Tecla, then the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore was built on this site. The last church had to be destroyed in order to build the Milan Cathedral.

Construction of the cathedral

The original design of the cathedral in gothic style belongs to the Italian Simone de Orsenigo. Further, the architects constantly changed and in 1470 Guniforte Solari became the architect, under whom the Gothic appearance of the cathedral was added decorative elements early Renaissance.

As a result, the cathedral was decorated with an octagonal dome. The completion of the construction of the cathedral façade in the 19th century was carried out under the leadership of the architects Amati and Zanoia, commissioned by Napoleon.

The grand opening of the Milan Cathedral took place in 1572 by Cardinal Carlo Borromeo.

Cathedral spire

In 1769, the cathedral was supplemented with a 106-meter spire, on which rises the main attraction of the cathedral - a statue of the Madonna made of gilded bronze. Overall height The cathedral is 158 meters.

Architecture of Milan Cathedral

The facade of the Milan Cathedral amazes with its amazing beauty everyone who sees this piece of architecture for the first time.

Facade

An endless number of decorative elements, spiers, towers, statues of saints, prophets, martyrs with the most important statue towering over the cathedral - the figure of the Madonna. IN total There are 3,400 statues in the exterior and interior of the cathedral.

Milan Cathedral, dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is the only cathedral in Europe built entirely from white marble. Thanks to this, the cathedral looks amazing at any time of the day - the white marble reflects the sun's rays during the day and looks mystical on a moonlit night.

Interior

The interior of the Milan Cathedral is a masterpiece of art, and the religious relics stored there make it a place of pilgrimage for Catholic believers.

What is the value of just one nail from the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, according to legend. The sacred nail is kept above the altar. Every year on September 14, when believers celebrate the Exaltation Holy Cross Lord, the archbishop lowers the nail down using a special elevator in the cloud, and at the end of the celebration, they lift it into place.

The cathedral also houses the famous mausoleum of Gian Jacombe de' Medici. The mausoleum is decorated with three statues, marble slabs and graceful columns. The author of this work of art is Leone Leoni.

Among the main attractions in the interior of the cathedral are also a statue of the martyr St. Bartholomew, an Egyptian bath from the 4th century, which is currently used for baptism, and a bronze candlestick, which is 5 meters long.

On the walls and windows of the Milan Cathedral, enthusiastic art lovers spend hours looking at the numerous skillfully carved wooden choirs and amazing stained glass windows of the 15th century, giving the cathedral a special mystery and grandeur at the same time.

What to see

Of course, spending a day in the Cathedral Square in Milan is the dream of every art lover and admirer of Italian architecture. The Milan Cathedral can be admired at any time of the day; it looks especially mysterious at night, when the moon illuminates the impeccable white marble and countless elegant statues on its façade.

During the day, you should definitely climb to the roof of the Milan Cathedral - a terrace that offers the most stunning views of Milan. You can get to the terraces either by elevator or by walking along the stairs from the street.

If you find yourself in Milan in November or December, then you are doubly lucky. It is at this time that every year the cathedral hosts an exhibition of the quadroni of St. Carlo Borromeo, made by Italian artists in the 17th century. This is a row of 54 very beautiful paintings, depicting scenes from the life of Archbishop Carlo Borromeo.

How to get to Milan Cathedral

Milan Cathedral is located at Piazza Duomo.

The easiest way to get to Milan Cathedral is by metro on lines 1 and 3 - you need to get off at Duomo station. The cathedral can be seen from afar and rises high above the city, as befits the main attraction of the city.

Ticket price for Milan Cathedral

Ticket prices are as of 2019. A visit to the cathedral, the Duomo Museum and the church of San Gottardo, located nearby, is worth:

• 3 Euro for adults;
• 2 Euro for children from 6 to 12 years old;
• free for children under 6 years old.

Entrance to the terrace

The cost of visiting the roof terrace of the cathedral when going up by elevator is:

• 13 Euro for adults;
• 7 Euro for children from 6 to 12 years old.

Walking up the stairs costs 9 Euros for adults and 4.50 Euros for children aged 6 to 12 years.

Combo ticket

You can also buy a combined DUOMO PASS ticket, which allows you to explore the cathedral, roof terraces, Duomo Museum and archaeological area. The cost of this ticket also differs depending on how you plan to climb to the terraces:

• by elevator (DUOMO PASS A) – 16 Euros for adults and 8 Euros for children from 6 to 12 years old;
• on foot (DUOMO PASS B) – 12 Euros for adults and 6 Euros for children from 6 to 12 years old.

The combination ticket is valid for one visit within 72 hours after its validation.

Where is the best place to buy a ticket?

Tickets without long queues can be purchased at the Info Point in the cathedral or at the Museo Duomo, located in the Royal Palace to the right of the Duomo.

Opening hours of Milan Cathedral

Milan Cathedral is open from 8am to 7pm every day. You can go up to the terraces from 9 am to 7 pm every day.

Official website of the Milan Cathedral www.duomomilano.it.

Visit also

The famous Cathedral Square in Milan also houses no less significant attractions of the city: the Royal Palace and.

After admiring the exterior and interior decoration of the Milan Cathedral, it is worth visiting the luxurious Royal Palace. And after relaxing with a cup of coffee, you can take a walk through the Vittorio Emmanuele II gallery with many boutiques and shops.

Passing through the glass gallery of Vittorio Emanuele II, you will find yourself in front of, located in Via Filodrammatici, 2. Here you can spend an unforgettable evening enjoying a performance and getting to know the history of the famous theater in its museum.

Excursions in Milan

If you want something more interesting than the traditional walk around the city on a map, then try a new format for sightseeing. In modern times, unusual excursions from local residents are becoming increasingly popular! After all, who knows the history and the most important things better than a local resident? interesting places Milan?

You can view all excursions and choose the most intriguing one on the website.

– an incredibly atmospheric, sophisticated and fragmented, calm and loud, in general, contradictory city. Everyone who found out that I was going to spend time here uttered the sacred phrase: “Oh, well, shopping, the Duomo, but there’s nothing else to do...” But I stubbornly refused to believe that there were cities in the world in which there was nothing to do. Well, since everyone says “Duomo,” then perhaps we’ll start with it.

The Duomo Cathedral is the main, most famous and striking landmark of Milan. It is the fourth largest cathedral in Europe, an enormously sized temple of white carved marble, rising in the square of the same name, filled with pigeons and Chinese tourists. The jaw involuntarily falls to the floor (or rather, to the magnificent paving stones) at the sight of this architectural miracle.

How to get there

The most convenient way to get to the Duomo is by metro - on the yellow line (M3) or the red line (M1) to the station with the logical name Duomo. A single metro ride costs 1.5 euros, a pass for 10 trips can be purchased for 10 euros, or you can purchase a daily card for 4.5 euros. Before entering the station, do not forget to validate your ticket! An unmarked ticket is subject to a fine of 100 euros. The metro schedule in Milan is from 6.30 to 0.30, and, by the way, its structure is quite simple and clear, you can figure it out in no time!

Official address: Duomo di Milano, Piazza del Duomo, Milano, Italy - if you arrive by car.

Parking in the center of Milan, as in any other metropolis, is expensive and problematic. The cost per hour is about 1.2 euros, but finding a place is not so easy. Payment is possible through the parking meter with coins, using a special Sosta Milano card or via SMS. But if you are going to walk around the center of Milan all day, then it would be best to leave your car at one of their Park & ​​Ride parking lots.

When you exit the metro, you immediately find yourself in a crowded square in front of the cathedral, where caring guys will definitely offer you food for birds “Food for Birds”, and then demand a fabulous 2-3 euros for it. I was lucky, I didn’t fall for the divorce, although I saw numerous people who agreed.

Opening hours and prices

And here I am, unable to cope with the desire to take a couple thousand more photos, standing in front of the Milan Cathedral. It must be said that the cathedral is a whole complex of cultural objects, including the cathedral itself, the crypt inside, the church, terraces and roof, a museum and an area of ​​archaeological finds.

You can enter the cathedral every day from 8 am to 7 pm; the terraces and roof await guests from 9 am.

The cost of visiting will also depend on the selected set of options.

• minimum – 2 euros (the cathedral and everything inside it),
• maximum – 15 euros (church, cathedral, elevator terraces, museum and excavations).

Detailed and up-to-date information is always available on the website of the cathedral itself. If you choose English, then everything is clear even to those who are “landan is the capital of great britain”. If you don’t want to search for ticket offices at all, you can buy tickets here online.

Tours of the cathedral are held regularly in Italian and English languages. The cost of such an excursion starts from 16 euros per person and is then calculated individually, depending on the composition of the group, language, desired topic of the excursion, etc.

• start your inspection with the interior decoration, and only then, having bought water and incredibly tasty Italian ice cream, go upstairs;
• There are ticket offices on both sides of the cathedral. It is quite likely that at one ticket office tourists stand as if in famine years for sausage, and at another ticket office there is no queue at all;
• If you are planning to visit the cathedral, you should make sure that your knees, shoulders and stomach are covered. Upon entering the cathedral, you may be asked to present yourself in a proper manner.

Duomo from outside

The façade of the Milan Duomo can be viewed endlessly. Several thousand white marble sculptures look down from the spiers and turrets onto the magnificent city. Rumor has it that not only saints, martyrs and philosophers are hiding among them, but also Mussolini and the ancient prototype of the Statue of Liberty. I honestly tried to see them, but nothing came of it.
Duomo is a real Italian long-term construction. It was founded back in 1386, and the object could only be considered completed at the beginning of the nineteenth century, when even Napoleon could no longer stand it and ordered the completion of the façade of the temple. Although, to be honest, it seemed to me that they were still finishing something there... The Italians involved their closest neighbors in the construction, so they built, one might say, the whole of Europe, which could not but affect the appearance of the temple. The cathedral is a timeless compilation of all European Gothic styles. By the way, one of the legends says that the octagonal dome of Jomo is the idea of ​​Leonardo himself, who also took part in the design of the cathedral.

Duomo inside

Looking at the façade made my neck hurt; I had to lift my head too much and for too long. A great excuse to stop this and go inside. Coolness, light breaking through the huge stained glass windows, columns going up to the endless ceiling, amazing sculptures and dark paintings - all these are details of the inner world of the cathedral, in which you get lost and dissolved.

Of course, you can take an audio guide (the cost of the guide is from 6 to 9 euros, depending on the set of options) in Russian and meticulously understand the authenticity of the trellises and the floor ornaments... But, in my opinion, you should just surrender to your inner sense of beauty and wander around the cathedral, noticing billions of details. For example, on the floor of the cathedral you can see a metal strip along which there are tiles with images of zodiac signs. It's kind of sundial, indicating the constellation of that time period. There is a rumor that systematic errors in the readings of this clock made it clear that the foundation of the cathedral is slowly subsiding. The main relic of the temple is located right under the ceiling - it is a nail from the crucifixion of Christ. Every year, on September 14th, it is revealed to the people using a special mechanism similar to a mechanical cloud.

Roof of Milan Cathedral

The interiors are amazing, but the thought that there is still a roof ahead doesn’t give me peace, which means, hurry up, hurry up! There are 2 options for lifting: by elevator and on foot. The elevator is, accordingly, more expensive (from 7 to 13 euros), but faster. The way up is quite narrow and not picturesque. spiral staircase. But, it seems to me, you can climb it quite calmly without much harm to your health and nervous system. I did so.

Here, real splendor is revealed before your eyes, located on 3 levels of existence. The first, lowest one is a city bustling with life, with its fashionable boutiques, everyday bustle and endless birds. Authentic, noisy and charming.

The roof of the Duomo is definitely the best observation deck in Milan. On the second level, right before your eyes, there are dozens of spiers, with marble audiences perched on them. And at the very top, on the third level, there is the shining gilded Virgin Mary, the patroness of the city, looking good-naturedly at. You can wander endlessly in this marble jungle, catching the warm Italian wind and admiring the views.

***

I understood why when talking about Milan everyone immediately remembers the Duomo. It's not that there's nothing more to see here. It’s just that the cathedral is so amazing that everything else fades into the background.

Conclusion: The Duomo is a must see! And don't forget about the ice cream :)

Address: Italy, Milan
Start of construction: 1386
Start of construction: 1965
Coordinates: 45°27"51.4"N 9°11"29.9"E

Duomo di Milano - symbol of Milan, dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary

Grandiose, stunning, magnificent, inimitable, luxurious, delightful... - whatever pompous epithets are used to describe the Duomo di Milano - the cathedral located on the main (eponymous) square of Milan!

Bird's eye view of Milan Cathedral

But even they are unable to convey the feelings and impressions that people experience when they see it for the first time.

The giant white marble cathedral, made in the ornate style of Flamboyant Gothic (late Gothic architecture), has become a symbol of Milan and one of the most famous buildings in the world. The official name of the cathedral is Santa Maria Nascente, it is dedicated to Christmas Holy Mother of God, but more often it is called simply the Milan Cathedral.

When starting to talk about it, guides first of all mention the following facts: Duomo di Milano is the largest Gothic and 4th largest Catholic cathedral in the world after Notre-Dame de la Paix in Yamoussoukro (Côte d'Ivoire), St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's in London. In terms of its capacity, it is second only to St. Peter's Cathedral (Rome), among Gothic ones - to the Cathedral of Maria de la Sede (Seville). sq. m, height - 106.5 m. In clear weather, the peaks of the Alpine mountains are visible from the roof of the cathedral.

A more detailed acquaintance with the Milan Cathedral may take a long time, since its impressive size is far from its only advantage.

Cathedral facade

The history of the construction of the cathedral - a road length of... 5 centuries

The first stone of the future cathedral was laid by Archbishop Antonio di Saluzzo in 1386. In the times preceding this event, a Celtic settlement, the Temple of Minerva, the churches of Santa Tecla and Santa Maria Maggiore had already visited the same place. The last of them was demolished to clear the site for the Duomo di Milano.

This great structure was built from the best marble, mined in the Candoglia quarries located near the town of Mergozzo in Piedmont. Used for good purposes, this one is very valuable construction material by order of Duke Gian Galeazzo Visconti, who then came to power, was not subject to taxation. However, despite the simply enormous popular and governmental enthusiasm that accompanied the construction of the cathedral, it dragged on for many years, decades and even centuries.

Initial development architectural project belonged to the Italian architect Simone de Orsenigo. Craftsmen from other countries (Germany, France) were invited to build the cathedral, since complex Gothic facades were more typical of France than of Italy. After 3 years, the Italian architect was replaced by a Frenchman - Nicolas de Bonaventure. Another 10 years later he was replaced by another Frenchman - Jean Mignot.

View of the cathedral from Piazza Milano

In total, more than a dozen famous European architects managed to take part in the construction of the Milan Cathedral before 1470, in which the construction was headed by Guniforte Solari. During this time, the cathedral turned from a 3-nave structure into a 5-nave structure, chapels disappeared from the project, and other significant and minor changes were made. Solari and his consultants Donato Bramante and Leonardo da Vinci made a very significant contribution to the creation of the architectural appearance of the cathedral: they decided to modernize the Gothic style, diluting it with individual Renaissance elements. This is how the famous octagonal dome arose.

In subsequent centuries, the temple slowly but surely continued to grow, be completed and decorated. The 106-meter central spire with a 4-meter statue of the Madonna, made of bronze and gilded, was installed, for example, only in 1769. (The spire was designed by Francesco Croce, the statue by Giuseppe Perego). At the same time, by the way, a decree was issued banning the construction in Milan of buildings that obscured its patron saint (alas, modernity has already begun to make its own adjustments to it - the first exception was the Pirelli skyscraper, the roof of which was decorated with an exact copy of the Madonna statue).

And so it turned out that work began on the creation of this white marble masterpiece of architecture in 1386, and was completed (and even then not completely) only in the 19th century, when the architects Carl Amati and Giuseppe Zanoia, on the personal orders of Napoleon, urgently completed the design of the facade. The main altar of the Duomo di Milano, when it was not even completed, in 1417, was consecrated by Pope Martin V.

The temple opened its doors to parishioners in 1572; the grand opening was held by Cardinal Charles Borromeo, who later became a saint of the Catholic Church.

The remaining construction and Finishing work were completed in the cathedral building until the 2nd half of the last century. All this time, the cathedral was being completed, more and more decorative elements and stained glass windows found a place on its luxurious Gothic facade, and the main gates were built. And only in 1965 the construction of the temple was officially completed. However, even now there are still individual blocks of the facade that have yet to be turned into sculptures.

Fragment of the cathedral facade

Despite the frequent change of architects, each of whom sought to bring something of their own to the building, the Milan Cathedral is still an absolutely integral work of art, which at the same time has a completely unique appearance. On the one hand, it has a distinct Gothic style that cannot be confused with any other. On the other hand, in its facade one can feel the Northern Italian, and more precisely, the Lombard influence, thanks to which the cathedral acquired a certain “earthliness” and heaviness.

The eighth wonder of the world and its attractions

The late Gothic building of the Milan Cathedral is distinguished by a huge number of graceful spiers (135 marble needles), pointed turrets and columns, connected by many soaring supports, the sophistication of the facades and the abundance of sculptures, of which there are more than 3 thousand outside and inside the cathedral. There are statues of biblical characters, chimeras, historical figures (Napoleon, Mussolini, etc.). The roof of the cathedral offers stunning panoramic views of Milan. It is recommended to climb here for every visitor who wants to get a full understanding of this architectural masterpiece in particular and Milan in general. You can climb either by stairs from the northern wall of the temple or by a special elevator.

On the roofs of the cathedral

The Duomo di Milano is able to amaze the imagination not only with its external appearance, but also with its internal decoration: an interior characteristic of the late Gothic style, mausoleums full of grandeur, unique wooden choirs of the 16th century (the work of Francesco Brambiglia), the highest cross vaults, huge arched windows with incredible stained glass windows, some of which have survived since the 15th century, and much more. The temple looks huge and very solemn.

The interior space of the temple, capable of simultaneously accommodating up to 40 thousand people, consists of 5 naves, separated by forty 25-meter columns. In front of the altar stands a 5-meter-tall bronze Trivulzio candlestick with a very elegant bronze vine base, made in the 12th century by Nicolas Verdun. And above the altar, under the very dome, the main shrine of the cathedral is kept - the sacred nail, which, according to legend, was taken directly from the Holy Crucifixion (from the cross of the Savior). Every year, on the Saturday closest to September 14, the nail is subject to ceremonial removal - this action is performed by the archbishop, who rises to the nail on a lift designed, as legend has it, by Leonardo da Vinci himself.

The cathedral also houses the sarcophagi of several archbishops of Milan, dating back to the 14th-18th centuries and made by famous Italian masters. Noticeable distinctive feature The cathedral contains, at first glance, an innumerable number of statues: only the interior of the octagonal dome has statues in 4 rows of 15 pieces in each! The most famous in the cathedral is the statue of St. Bartholomew, created by Marco d'Agrate in 1562. Noteworthy are the sculptures of Gian Giacomo Medici (Leone Leoni, 16th century), Martin V (Jacopino da Tradate, 15th century), Vladimir Monomakh.

Among other attractions of the temple, it is worth noting the “Meridian” - a sundial with the signs of the Zodiac (the sign corresponding to the current month at exactly noon is unmistakably indicated by a sunbeam); two large organs; three unique altars by Pellegrino Pellegrini; a 6th-century Egyptian bath used as a baptismal font, and other works of art.

Milan Cathedral in the 21st century

Several years at the beginning of this century (until 2009) - Milan Cathedral was closed for reconstruction. Until this moment restoration work It was held only once - after World War II, when the temple building was damaged by air raids. Now all the work has been completed, and the facade of the building has once again appeared before the residents and numerous guests of Milan in all its mighty glory.

The Milan Cathedral represents the true pride of all Italians, but its beauty lies not so much in the scale of its scope as in the smallest details. It is these nuances that are the real decoration of the building, made in the Gothic style. One has only to look at the numerous faces, biblical motifs, sculptural compositions, and one begins to understand the depth of elaboration of each line, as well as the reasons for such a long construction and decoration.

Other names for Milan Cathedral

The Basilica is the most popular attraction of the city, so the current name appears more during excursion programs. In fact, it is the symbol of Milan, which is why it was nicknamed Duomo di Milano. Residents of Italy prefer to call their sanctuary Duomo, which translates as “cathedral.”

The church also has official name in honor of the Virgin Mary, patroness of the city. It sounds like Santa Maria Nascente. On the roof of the cathedral there is a statue of Saint Madonna, which can be seen from different points in Milan.

General characteristics of the basilica

The architectural monument is located in the central part of Milan. The square in front of the Milan Cathedral is called the Cathedral, from here there is a stunning view of the structure with many spiers. Despite the combination of styles, the dominant style is Gothic, and the entire cathedral is made of white marble, which is almost never found in other similar buildings in Europe.

The massive church took more than 570 years to build, but now it can accommodate about 40,000 people. The length of the cathedral is 158 m and the width is 92 m. The tallest spire reaches 106 m into the sky. And although the size of the facades is impressive, what is much more interesting is how many sculptures were created to decorate them. The number of statues is about 3,400 units, and the stucco decoration is even more.

Historical milestones of the Duomo

History has given few medieval temples, because most of them were destroyed over the following centuries. The Milan Cathedral is one of the representatives of that century, although it is difficult to tell from the architecture. The basilica is considered a real long-term construction project, since the foundation for it began to be laid back in 1386.

Before initial stage During construction, other sanctuaries stood on the site of the future basilica, replacing each other as the territory was conquered different peoples. Among the predecessors are known:

• Celtic temple;
• Roman temple of the goddess Minerva;
• Church of Santa Takla;
• Church of Santa Maria Maggiore.

During the reign of Duke Gian Galeazzo Visconti, it was decided to create a new creation in the Gothic style, since nothing like it had yet existed in this part of Europe. The first architect was Simone de Orsenigo, but he had difficulty coping with the task assigned to him. Several times the creators of the project changed one after another: first the Germans, then the French, then returned to the Italians. By 1417, the main altar was already ready, which was consecrated even before the full structure of the temple was erected.

In 1470, the important post for the construction of the cathedral went to Guniforte Sopari. To bring uniqueness to the building, the architect often turned to Donato Bramante and Leonardo da Vinci for advice. As a result, it was decided to dilute the strict Gothic style with Renaissance elements that were in fashion at that time. Only a hundred years later, in 1572, the opening of the Milan Cathedral took place, although it was still not fully decorated. From descriptions historical events it is known that in 1769 the tallest spire was installed, and a gilded statue of the Madonna 4 m high also appeared.

During the reign of Napoleon, Carlo Amati and Giuseppe Zanoia were appointed architects, who worked on the design of the facade facing Cathedral Square. The new craftsmen followed the general idea of ​​the main project, resulting in more than a hundred marble spiers. These “needles” resembled a strange forest of stone, which is very similar to flaming Gothic. Their works became the final stage in the creation cathedral. True, some of the decorations were added later.

Many people are interested in how many years it took to build the Milan Cathedral, taking into account all the decorative work, because the abundance of details confirms the laboriousness of the process. The total number of years was 579. Few buildings can boast of such a serious and long-term approach to creating a unique work of art.

Architecture of the famous cathedral

The Duomo is able to surprise every tourist with its unusual performance. You can spend hours looking at its facades with thousands of sculptures and entire compositions from the Bible, which are so skillfully made that each character seems to be imbued with life. It is very difficult to study all the decorations of the cathedral, since many of them are located high, but the pictures will help you get a better look at the external design. On one of the walls there is a space allocated for the names of the city’s archbishops, a list of which has been kept for a very long time. However, there are still places to make new entries for future representatives of the church.

Many surprises are hidden inside the Milan Cathedral. Firstly, there is an unusual attraction here - the nail with which Jesus was crucified. When holding a service in honor of the Exaltation of the Precious Cross of the Lord, a cloud with a nail descends over the altar to give the event greater symbolism.

Secondly, the temple uses an Egyptian bathtub dating back to the 4th century as a font. Also of great importance are the statue of St. Bartholomew and the mausoleum of Gian Giacomo de' Medici.

Thirdly, the interior decoration is so rich and elegant that it is simply impossible not to pay attention to it. Huge columns go far up, paintings and stucco are everywhere. The main beauty lies in the windows, where there are stained glass windows created in the 15th century. Photographs are not able to convey the play of color in the same way as can be seen with personal presence inside the temple.

The design of the cathedral is such that you can walk along the roof and admire the historical center. Some look at the decoration with statues, some admire the city landscapes, and some do various photos surrounded by filigree marble spiers.

In Milan, there is a special decree prohibiting buildings from blocking the statue of the Madonna. During the construction of the skyscraper, Pirelli had to neglect the condition, but in order to circumvent the law, it was decided to install an identical statue of the city’s patroness on the roof of the modern building.

On the floor of the temple there are marble tiles with images of the signs of the Zodiac. It is believed that a ray of sunlight falls on the picture whose patron is dominant during a certain period of the year. Based on the messages received, today there is some discrepancy with the real numbers, which is associated with subsidence of the base.

There is an entrance fee to the Milan Cathedral, but a ticket with an elevator costs almost twice as much. True, it is impossible to refuse the spectacle from the roof, because from there you can see the real life of Milan with bustling Italians and guests of the city. Do not forget that this is not just a tourist attraction, but, above all, a religious place, where women must cover their shoulders and knees, and low-cut T-shirts are also prohibited.