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Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano), let’s go!

by Antonia

A highlight trip to one of the largest churches in the world, let me take you through it! Side-note, I just realised my title rhymes hehe!

What’s a trip to Milan without seeing the Cathedral? It looks amazing in photos but in reality, it’s truly breathtaking. The amount of precision to the architecture, I’ve never seen such beauty within a building. Construction of the building began in 1386 by Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo. This took over 6 centuries to be made, before being completed in 1965. I originally went there on Sunday, but it was so busy it was insane! And all the tickets were sold out/I can’t remember if they even had them available as it’s apparently a national religious holiday in Italy, and I wasn’t aware of this before! So I went and took in the atmosphere outside the cathedral, took some photos and also visited one or two of the monuments around! Then went back a couple of days later when I had tickets so I could get a special view of inside the beautiful cathedral!

I looked around the cathedral on the ground floor and embraced it’s surroundings first, then I had lift passes to go up to the rooftop (as I couldn’t see myself walking up those never-ending stairs), to see the sensational views and even more of the incredibly detailed statues, and let me just tell you… THEY DID NOT DISAPPOINT! It was truly magnificent and something you must do in your lifetime – if you’re not afraid of heights of course! This cathedral retains so much incomparable history, and once you walk through the doors anyway, you feel somewhat overcome with emotions, a key one being peace.

I highly recommend everyone visits! It honestly does take your breath and all of your words away. Let me hit you with some extremely interesting facts!

The Duomo is the fifth largest Christian church in the world!

Outdone by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil, Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York and Seville’s Cathedral, Milan Cathedral is still one big church! It’s the 5th largest church in the world, covering a surface of 109,642 square feet, its size is even more magnificent considering it’s the oldest church on that list.

It has the most statues!

I did notice that their were a significant amount of intricate, eye-catching statues in this church, so it doesn’t surprise me that there are more statues on this gothic-style cathedral than any other building in the world. There are 3,400 statues, 135 gargoyles and 700 figures that decorate Milan Duomo! Climb the stairs or take the lift to the rooftop to fully appreciate the architecture of the most renowned silhouette in the city. From the terrazza you’ll see breathtaking views across Milan and, on clear days, the snow-capped peaks of the Alps. You can also see the famous Madonnina, the gold-colored statue of Mary that stands on the cathedral’s highest spire.

You can set your watch by its sundial!

I don’t think I saw this when I visited (which I’m gutted about), but near the main entrance you’ll see a sundial on the floor. A ray of sunlight from a hole on the opposite wall strikes the clock, shining the bronze tongue on June 21, the summer solstice, and the meridian on the winter solstice, December 21. Though ancient (it was placed in Milan Duomo in 1768 by astronomers from the Accademia di Brera) the sundial is surprisingly precise – even used to regulate clocks throughout the city!

And don’t miss the little red bulb!

Above the apse (the arched part above the altar) there is a spot marked with a red lightbulb. This marks the spot where one of the nails of Jesus’ crucifixion was allegedly placed. Every year on the Saturday closest to September 14 the archbishop of Milan ascends to the apex in a wooden basket decorated with angels to retrieve the nail. The basket itself was constructed in 1577, though it was significantly reconstructed in 1701 when the angels were added. But you’ve got to be visiting at the right time – the nail is exhibited at the altar until the Monday after vespers before it’s lifted back up again. I’m not 100% sure if I saw this, as there was so much around to take in. Yes I know what you’re all thinking, “I have the memory of a sieve”. I agree!

Have you been to the Milan Cathedral? Are you interested in going? Have you been to Italy? Comment below!

39 thoughts on “Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano), let’s go!”

  4. Beautiful, Antonia! Thanks for sharing. I love your camel coat- you look very lovely and stylish.
    I have travelled throughout Italy too. Thanks for showing the beauty and history of this beautiful country.🤗

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Aww thankyouu so much! I tried to be stylish, because usually style is not my middle name!😂😂 but this coat made it so much easier to look stylish effortlessly!
      Italy is such a wonderful gorgeous place with so much history isn’t it?
      Thankyouu so much for reading and commenting!
      Have a lovely Christmas and happy new year!🤗🤗

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      1. Yes, Antonia, that coat is very elegant. Camel coloured coats are my favourite. They never go out of style, they are classic. My other favourite style colours are white, cream, navy, and black. 🤗

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Same! I’ve always wanted a good camel coat but could never find one! And if I did find one they’d be wayyy out of my budget. Your outfit isn’t complete without a camel coat💃🏻. I’ll be coming to you for fashion advice next 🧍‍♀️🤗

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      3. Haha…..Antonia, you have a beautiful sense of style, and you are very elegant.
        I find that I buy a small number of good quality items, and then keep them for years because they never wear out, if I maintain them carefully. I have a wool navy blue blazer with a crest on the left pocket. It looks very official. It helped me when I was at the airport in Israel – I wasn’t questioned much because of that official looking blazer, I think ! I am glad you have enjoyed Milano, and thanks for sharing the beautiful photos with us. 🤗

        Liked by 1 person

      4. I’m glad we’re on the same page!
        Definitely, people treat you differently when you’re looking sharp! Good quality clothes are incomparable. I cherish the packaging they’re in as I don’t want to damage them prematurely, if at all! Net-a-Porter sales, when they have 70% or 80%off are amazing! You can get expensive designer labels for a fraction of the price. It’s so easy to get carried away in the bargains then find yourself waving goodbye to many of the goodies that found their way in your basket😂😂 So many sales nowadays though are such let downs as you only get a pound or two off… if that!😂. Why would that make me buy your product?!😂😂 How is that beneficial to me😂, at least make me feel like I’m saving a fortune😂. Sorry about my rant haha I just love sales especially designer sales. Nothing more annoying than paying full price only to see the same garment more than half price off! Thankyouu for sharing🤗🤗

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      5. Hi Antonia : Thanks for your great insights. ! Yes, me too, I love sales, on good quality items. Clothes are an investment.
        And definitely, people treat us differently based on you we present ourselves.
        And we feel better when we know we are looking good. Thanks for sharing.
        Once we have visited Italy, we are always influenced by Italy, and all its beauty. 🤗

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Oooh that sounds wonderful! Milan is beautiful and the building are just indescribable! I must read up more about Assisi as I’m sure there is as picturesque!
      Thankyouu so much for reading and commenting!
      Have a lovely Christmas and happy new year!😊

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      Reply

  6. Spectacular, Antonia! I’ve never been inside, and your picture mesmerizes.

    I particularly enjoyed reading your stories too, about the nail, and the sundial. What an eye – and ear – for detail you have!

    Nothing could top your pictures in the last article, of the Alps from above, but somehow you did. I keep scrolling up to look at that picture of the interior!

    Quite the travelogue you’re constructing, and you’re only at the beginning. Looks like Milan is destined to be your best trip so far, and perhaps ever!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Aww thankyouu so much this means a lot! Your words are too kind!🤗🤗
      I’m definitely going to be sharing more, I hope I can top the blog posts I’ve done so far hehe😰😂!
      Thankyouu so much for reading and commenting! Your words made me smile!😃
      Have a lovely Christmas and happy new year!😊😊

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      1. Might be awhile before I get there. I would like to go to Portugal so perhaps if I could get over to Europe again sooner than later…
        Hope your Christmas was good. Let me know if there are any further BBC series I should watch

        Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s so beautiful! You must visit! The building and history of the city really is incredible!
      Thankyouu so much for reading and commenting!
      Have a lovely Christmas and happy new year!😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thankyouu! So glad you liked those photos! The cathedral was incredible inside and out! But especially inside – wow!
      Thankyouu so much for reading and commenting!
      Have a lovely Christmas and happy new year!😊

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. It’s breathtaking! You must visit it, photos don’t do it justice! I know it’s incredible, and they’re still always working to upkeep the building!
      Aww thankyouu so much!
      Have a lovely day😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  12. I lived in Milano more then a month! I was a nanny in this time and actually it was very near the Duomo, I was walking around every single day but I never entered 😀 I guess I didn’t have enough time but once I had meeting in the famous cafe shop beside duomo and it was upstairs, so I was sitting in the same height of Duomo we were like looking at each other or I could possibly touch the Duomo pinnacle by my hand..it felt really amazing..

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    1. That sounds incredible! Getting the chance to walk around that area every day? So lucky!
      Ahhh you must enter the cathedral one day, it’s magnificent! Words couldn’t describe it.
      I saw some bars/cafes opposite the building very close to it and really wanted to go to them too, but never got the chance! Those cafe’s look great though as you’re so close to it and can basically overlook the cathedral anyway!
      Thankyouu so much for reading and commenting!
      Have a lovely day😊

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      Reply

    1. Thankyouu so much! Oh really? They’re so lucky, especially to have such easy access to the delicious Italian food.
      Have a lovely day Kevin!😃

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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