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LANDMARK CLASSIC
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DUOMO −
DI MILANO façade in Candoglia marble, the interior of the
After crossing the threshold of its 18th century

Cathedral is revealed in all its majesty. One of the
most important Gothic buildings in the world, the
(begun 1386), is the symbol of Milan. Built in the
A PREMIER SYMBOL OF THE CITY church, constructed over a period of 450 years
shape of a Latin cross, the cathedral is divided by
soaring pillars into five naves, the largest of which
measures 45 metres in height. Its inside columns
measure 3 and a half metres in diameter.
− The interior boasts an apse with a large rose
window, stained glass windows decorated with
episodes from the Bible, chapels and high marble
columns with capitals featuring statues of saints.
− To experience the Duomo at its most majestic
you must ascend to the roof (either by elevator or by
steps) where you will be surrounded by an outburst
of pinnacles, turrets and marble statuary and,
naturally, the city’s famed golden “Madonnina”.
Here you can wander among 135 spires and 3,400
statues.
− Guided tours for small groups help visitors
learn about the secrets behind the Duomo’s
construction. The tour starts from the back of the
choir which leads to the Crypt housing the tomb
of San Carlo Borromeo, and then moves on to the
Archaeological Area where you’ll find the remains
of the Battistero di San Giovanni alle Fonti, dating
back to 397 A.D. This is where Sant’Ambrogio
christened St. Augustine. Next is the old Basilica of
Santa Tecla (4th century).
− Before accessing the Cathedral and its treasures,
visit the nearby Museo del Duomo, located inside
Palazzo Reale. The museum houses more than 150
masterpieces from the 15th century to the present
time, including statues, architectural models, plaster
casts, terracottas and paintings.
− If you’re on a tight schedule but want to learn
more about the secrets of the Duomo, you can
take advantage of the new Duomo Milano App for
smartphones, featuring images and content in 9
languages including Italian, English, French, German,
Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese.
www.duomomilano.it
PH © VENERANDA FABBRICA DEL DUOMO

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