DUOMO DI MILANO | LA CATTEDRALE

The construction of the Milan Cathedral began in 1386, when the Gothic style of cathedrals had already reached its peak. Construction began on the site where the ancient basilicas of Saint Mary Major and of Saint Tecla, the remains of which, together with those of the Baptistery of San Giovanni alle Fonti, are still visible in the’Arc Areageological. To oversee the work, in the 1387, on the initiative of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Lord of Milan, the The Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo, responsible for the design and construction of the cathedral.

One of the first innovative decisions was the use of the Candoglia marble, chosen by Gian Galeazzo as a replacement for the traditional Lombard brick. This marked a stylistic revolution that required the involvement of engineers, architects, sculptors and craftsmen from Europe’s leading Gothic building sites. Thanks to this variety of skills and influences, the Duomo became a a crossroads of cultures, standing out as the most European of the Gothic cathedrals. The supervision of the building work saw a succession of architects, making it impossible to attribute the design with certainty to any one individual.

Work began with the construction of the’apse, characterised by its imposing stained-glass windows, and continued on towards the transept and the first spans of the naves, leaving the question of the vault’s closure unresolved. The 16 October 1418, Pope Martin V He consecrated the high altar on his return from the Council of Constance. At the end of the fifteenth century, leading artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, they set about designing the Tiburio, resolving this crucial stage through a joint decision.

With the advent of the Counter-Reformation, inspired by the decrees of the Council of Trent (1545–1563), the cathedral underwent a significant transformation. Charles Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan, and his successor Federigo Borromeo They directed the restoration work towards an aesthetic inspired by papal Rome, redefining the interior of the cathedral with the new chancel, side altars, the crypt, the baptistery and the floor. Among the most significant works of that period are the San Carlo’s Quadroni and the wooden choir.

At the end of the sixteenth century, work began on designing the façade, whilst the old façade of Santa Maria Maggiore, which had been rebuilt further forward, was not demolished until 1683. The final façade was not completed until the end of the 18th century. Between the 17th and 18th centuries, the lantern tower was completed with the Gran Guglia and the installation of the Madonnina at 1774.

The nineteenth century saw a great deal of activity thanks to Napoleon, who oversaw the completion of the façade between 1807 and 1813. It was during this period that most of the spires and many of the stained-glass windows were created using the technique of enamelled stained glass. In the 20th century, despite the conflicts, major restoration work and archaeological excavations began in Piazza del Duomo. Between the 1909 and 1965 The doors on the façade were completed, whilst the FabThe firm undertook structural and conservation restoration work, culminating in the restoration of the lantern tower and on the Guglia Maggflower.

Le Terrazze: a unique experience at a height of 70 metres

The roof of Milan Cathedral offers a unique walking tour across a walkable area of 8,000 square metres, the largest in the world for a Gothic cathedral. Among 134 spires e 3,500 statues, you can walk until you reach the famous Madonnina, over 4 metres high and situated in 108.5 metres high, symbpart of Milan’s defences since 1774. The terraces offer a breathtaking view, set against the backdrop of the imposingin the splendour and magnificence of one of architecture’s masterpieces Gothic.

Information for Museum Pass holders

To enter the Cathedral via the’Museum Subscription You must collect your ticket Cathedral + Museum o Culture Pass at the ticket office of the Duomo Museum in Piazza del Duomo 12 (This ticket does not grant access to the Cathedral Terraces).

Note: Holders of a Museum Pass are entitled to one free entry at the Terrazze del Duomo during the period of validity of the ogseason ticket, subject to collection of the relevant ticket from the ticket office (climbing the stairs or taking the lift). Following the first and only entry included in the season ticket, any further visits to the Terraces will be subject torelating to the standard rate. Tickets are issued subject to availability at the ticket office. The season ticket It cannot be used for special events (for example: evening openings of the Terraces with live music, evening openings of the museum with an aperitif, concerts).