The Milan Cathedral, the jewel of the fashion city
This year, where should we celebrate Christmas? Immediately, Italy sprung to mind as a potential destination. You will never have a better Christmas with your family than the one, you’ll celebrate in 2022 with your trip to Italy. Traveling around Italy was a dream, but unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to see everything. Thus, Milan, Italy’s second-most-populous city, was the initial stop. It’s common knowledge that this metropolis is widely regarded as a major hub in the global fashion industry. When that happens, where are you supposed to spend Christmas?
As you approach the Piazza del Duomo, Milan’s bustling center and home to the Royal Palace and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the light gets more intense. The gleaming exterior of the church creates an almost mesmerizing image in the sunlight. Awe-inspiring in its precision, this building is a visual feast for the eyes. A visit to the Milan Cathedral, one of the city’s most famous landmarks, enlightened us to Milan’s rich artistic history. Five centuries of hard work have culminated in this magnificent structure, which stands as a symbol of the city.
The magnificent cathedral, the largest in Italy and the fourth largest in the world, is a perfect example of Italian and European Gothic architecture. It’s hard to realize that it took 500 years to construct this magnificent cathedral. Certainly, it presented a formidable challenge to the architects. Upon first glance, the cathedral’s striking “Gothic style” architecture will strike a chord. The architect, Carlo Buzzi, ultimately opted to give the church a gothic makeover, as had been originally intended, and this was discovered after extensive investigation. Moreover, Vox City offers a self-guided audio tour that can help you learn more about the Duomo. As you explore the grounds, you may learn about the Duomo and its intriguing construction, which involved some of the most well-known artists in Italy, including Leonardo da Vinci.
Star of Piazza Del Duomo
The word “duomo,” derived from the Latin word for “house,” “domus,” signifies “the House of God.” In Italian, it usually means the city’s main cathedral. The Duomo in Milan is the undisputed focal point of the city’s central piazza. One of the largest Catholic churches, its 157-meter length allows it to accommodate a capacity of 40 thousand people. It was painstakingly constructed over a lengthy period of time, and as a result, it features an unusual synthesis of design elements.
It is on the foundations of the 5th-century basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, which burned down in 1075. Construction of the cathedral began in 1386 at the direction of Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo and during the reign of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, who had plans to restore the entire neighbourhood and was therefore very supportive of the cathedral project. He fancied taking on the bright, gothic flair so prevalent in France. Therefore, Nicolas de Bonaventure, a French architect, was one of the first to assume care of the structure and establish its aesthetic direction. This unique style of architecture is a combination of International Gothic and Lombard styles that developed over time.
What you can’t miss at Milan’s Duomo
This temple is beautiful on the inside and out with its five naves and 45-meter-tall central nave and four-meter-tall side naves. The cathedral’s facade is one of the first things that visitors notice, as it is covered with white marble with pinkish tones that was imported from the Caves of Candoglia.
Duomo di Milano (c) Shutterstock.com
The numerous sculpture-adorned pinnacles and turrets at the building’s peak contribute significantly to its striking appearance from the street. The iconic Madonnina monument, made in copper and gold in 1774 by Giuseppe Perego, stands atop the hill as the city’s unofficial mascot. The interior is just as awe-inspiring as the outside, but it feels warmer and invites contemplation. There are a few highlights within the main body that shouldn’t be missed:
Its massive, intricately designed pillars are what raise the central nave to its impressive height. Keep your eyes peeled for the carved figures that sit atop the canopies. You can follow the columns to the altar.
Saint Bartholomew, carved by Marco da Agrate in 1562, is one of the most well-known works of art. The artist depicts this apostle, who was flayed alive, with his skin draped over his body. It’s so eerie that it makes you shiver.
Examine the gorgeous Biblical scene stained glass windows that let light into the cathedral. They make for a colorful and visually appealing show.
There’s a chapel dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo in the crypt, which visitors can explore. You can visit the Cathedral Treasury, which has artefacts from the early Christian and Romanesque periods, as well as the saint’s bones.
Going from the basement all the way up to the cathedral’s roof is a highlight of any visit. You can’t miss out on the amazing feeling of roaming around on the roof, which has been converted into a stunning observation deck. While taking in the sights of the city, you’ll also have a front-row seat to the building’s distinctive spires. Take the elevator if you don’t feel like climbing the steps, or use the stairs if you don’t want to pay a little extra.
Try to locate the meridian line on the cathedral’s ground. It’s a copper strip with zodiac signs on either side. Every day at noon, the light shines through a little opening in the vault, and the rays show which zodiac sign corresponds to which month.
Self-guided tours
The Duomo can be explored independently with the help of a self-guided audio tour from Vox City. Indulge in unrestricted, self-directed exploration of the Duomo di Milano with the help of an app-based, audio-guided tour. Simply download our app and get started whenever and wherever you choose with no need to schedule a meeting with a representative. This is not the same as the audio tour provided at the venue.
The Vox City App for smartphones provides information in five languages (Italian, English, French, German, and Spanish) and is a great resource for those who are short on time yet want to learn more about the Duomo’s hidden history and architecture. To see the Duomo at its most beautiful, take the elevator or the stairs up to the roof, where you’ll find an explosion of marble statues, turrets, and pinnacles, as well as the city’s fabled golden “Madonnina.” So, once you get to Milan, start your self-guided Vox City audio tour so you can start exploring right away.
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