Marvel At The Milan Duomo
Ticked off in December 2016
Walk among a forest of marble spires on the roof of Milan Cathedral, with the golden Madonnina gleaming overhead.
The adventure
Work on Milan Cathedral began in 1386, and it took so long to finish that the façade was only completed on Napoleon's orders in the early 19th century. The result is a Gothic fantasy in pale pinkish marble, bristling with pinnacles, gargoyles and thousands of statues. Inside, giant pillars soar into the gloom and vast stained-glass windows throw colour across the floor. Look out for the startling statue of St Bartholomew, flayed alive and wearing his own skin like a cloak.
Then head for the roof. Up among the flying buttresses, you walk across the sloping marble terraces with spires all around you, each topped by its own saint. Above them all, on the highest spire, stands the gilded Madonnina, and on a clear day you can see the snowy Alps beyond the city.
Why it’s epic
- Construction began in 1386, and the last bronze doors were only fitted in the 20th century.
- Built from Candoglia marble, from a quarry near Lake Maggiore that the cathedral's builders still use.
- The gilded Madonnina tops the highest spire, more than 100 metres above the square.
- The statue of St Bartholomew Flayed, draped in his own skin.
What it is
Milan Cathedral took nearly six centuries to complete and has 135 spires and around 3,400 statues.
How to do it
Buy a ticket that includes the rooftop terraces, reached by stairs or lift.
Top tip
Shoulders and knees must be covered to go inside.
Need to know
- Rooftop tickets come with lift or stair access; the stairs are cheaper and the queues are often shorter.
- Expect security checks at the entrance; covered shoulders and knees are required inside.
- The rooftop can close in storms or icy weather.
Plan this trip
- Rough cost
- £750 to £2,000 per person, including flights from the UK
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Best time to go
- All year
- Fly into
- MXP airport
A short-haul city break; Milan hotels are the main cost, with the cathedral ticket a small extra.
Do it yourself
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My experience
Ticked off, but the full story is still to be written up.
Over to you
Is “Marvel At The Milan Duomo” on your bucket list, or have you already done it? Tell me in the comments, and if you've got a question about it, ask away and I'll answer.