Duomo di Milano Cathedral, Milan, Italy

Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) is the main landmark of Milan and the largest church in Italy. Construction began in 1386 and lasted almost six centuries: the facade was completed in the early 19th century on Napoleon’s orders, and the last bronze door was installed in 1965. Built of pink-veined white marble from Candoglia, the cathedral is famous for its forest of 135 spires and around 3,400 statues, and it can hold tens of thousands of people.

On the highest spire, 108.5 metres above the ground, stands the gilded statue of the Madonna, the Madonnina, a symbol of the city since 1774. Inside, five naves are divided by 52 huge pillars, and enormous stained-glass windows light the apse. Look for the statue of the flayed Saint Bartholomew by Marco d’Agrate, the meridian line on the floor and, beneath the cathedral, the remains of the early Christian baptistery in the archaeological area.

Visitor Information

The highlight for many visitors is a walk on the terraces, among the marble spires and statues, with views over Piazza del Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and, on clear days, the Alps. The terraces can be reached by about 250 steps or by lift; the lift goes only to the first level, and the upper level and the way down are by stairs.

Tickets are sold on the official website and at the ticket offices. The cathedral with the Duomo Museum costs €10; on Wednesdays, when the museum is closed, the cathedral alone costs €8. The terraces alone cost €16 by stairs or €18 by lift, and the cathedral with the terraces €22 by stairs or €26 by lift. Reduced tickets cost half, and children up to 5 enter free. The cathedral and the terraces are open daily from 9:00 to 19:00, with last entry at 18:00. Shoulders and knees must be covered, and bags are checked at the entrance.

The cathedral stands on Piazza del Duomo, right above Duomo metro station on lines M1 and M3. From Milano Centrale railway station the M3 line takes about 10 minutes. Next to the cathedral are the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Royal Palace and the Museo del Novecento, and La Scala is a five-minute walk away.