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Milan Cathedral
Il Duomo Milan Cathedral
Il Duomo Milans Cathedral
Milan is famous for its fashion, artwork and its architecture. The biggest and best example of this is the magnificent Milan Cathedral, known as Il Duomo. This grand Gothic edifice is the second largest Catholic Cathedral in the world and it is filled with a magnificent collection of priceless treasures.The Cathedral was begun in 1386 on the site of the 5th century St Ambrose Basilica and was only completed in 1965. To give you an idea of the immense size of Il Duomo, it is 157m (515feet) long; 92m (302 feet wide), the spire reaches 106.5m (349 feet) and it holds 40,000 worshippers. Stand next to it and you will feel dwarfed by its size. At the very pinnacle of the spire is the golden Madonnina statue. With 135 marble spires and over 2200 marble statues, Il Duomo could keep you occupied for days!
When you step inside the cool interior, you will see the immense nave with 5 wide aisles. Some of the must-see monuments include the sarcophagus of Archbishop Alberto da Intimiano beneath the copper crucifix. There are three magnificent altars designed by Pellegrino Pellegrini with wonderful artwork by Federico Zuccari and a somewhat gruesome statue of St Bartholomew who was flayed alive. The frescoes are quite wonderful, particularly around the choir, and there are many beautiful stained glass windows. The most significant spot in the Cathedral is marked by a red light in the Dome of the Apse. This is where one of the nails from Christs Crucifixion was placed. Compared to the ornate exterior, the interior is somewhat simpler and it is the immense size of the Duomo which is its most impressive feature.
After exploring the cool interior, take the elevator to the roof and stroll around the white marble pinnacles and spires topped with statues. There are stunning views across the city to the Swiss Alps 50 miles away on a clear day. The crypt is also open to the public, which holds the Cathedral Treasury of artifacts.
Written by a freelance writer for DesenzanoItaly.com
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