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Il Duomo
Milan has the third largest cathedral in the world

The Duomo is the third largest cathedral in the world after St. Peter's in Rome and the Cathedral of Seville. Taking over over 500 years to complete, today the Duomo is constantly being repaired and maintained.


The Duomo is the third largest cathedral in the world after St. Peter's in Rome and the Cathedral of Seville.

Looking at a map of Milan, you can see that Milan's city streets follow a spider web pattern with the Duomo being the center point. All roads either run towards or around the great cathedral. When searching for an address, it is always helpful to know where the Duomo is in relation to the street, the lower street addresses are always at the end closest to the Duomo.
 

Duomo
Architect: Various
Date: It took over 500 years to complete and today is constantly being repaired and maintained.
Building Type: Cathedral

Various It took over 500 years to complete and today is constantly being repaired and maintained. Cathedral The Duomo is the third largest cathedral in the world after St. Peter's in Rome and the Cathedral of Seville. Looking at a map of Milan, you can see that Milan's city streets follow a spider web pattern with the Duomo being the center point. All roads either run towards or around the great cathedral. When searching for an address, it is always helpful to know where the Duomo is in relation to the street, the lower street addresses are always at the end closest to the Duomo.

To visit the Duomo, (women must have shoulders covered)
The Cathedral is open everyday from 8:50 a.m. to 6:55 p.m. Holidays: from 8:50 a.m. to 6:55 p.m

For a spectacular view of the city and even of the Alps (on a clear day) you may climb to the top of the Duomo via a spiral stone staircase of 919 steps. An elevator to the top is also available. Tickets and entrance to both the staircase and the elevator are on Corso Vittorio Emanuele (the left side of the Duomo if you are looking at it straight on). Entrance 9.00 - 17.45, cost € 5,00 by elevator, and by stairs: € 3.50.

 

 

SIZE

157 m long
66 m and 92 m wide

 
 Facade: w. 60m x h. 56 m
 
 Main spire: h. 109 m
 
 Internal area 12,000 sqm
 

Seating capacity: 40,000

COMPOSITION
  • 145 spires
  • 155 gargoyles
  • 3,159 statues (2,245 exterior)
  • 96 'giant' figures making up the spouts as well as an innumerable amount of unfinished-figures carved in the window frames.
  • 158 satirs to roof
  • 261 stairs to tyburium
  • 500 stairs to terrace of the main spire
   
TIME LINE  
   
400
Saint Ambrogio built a chapel and called it Basilica Nova
836
A small basilica was erected next to The Nova, called Santa Maria Maggiore
1075
Santa Tecla, another nearby church was victim to a fire which also damaged the Santa Maria Maggiore. The area was partly demolished and rebiulding began.
1288
Santa Maria Maggiore was named Duomo which was dirived from Domus Sancti Ambrosil, the Bishop's palace.
1386
Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo promoted a new project to build a new structure. Construction began using the marble quaries of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Lord of Milan at the time, from Candoglia, on Lake Maggiore.
1762
Completed construction of main spire
1858
Completed construction of last spire erected

 

 


Credits:

Article: Celia Abernethy
Photographs: Celia Abernethy

Any reprints of this article or use of any other material or photographs found in Milanostyle.com require permission from the author. Please contact us for instructions on how to request the proper authorization.
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