Duomo di Milano
Duomo di Milano – The Duomo di Milano, officially the Cattedrale Metropolitana della Natività della Beata Vergine Maria (Metropolitan Cathedral of the Nativity of Saint Mary), is one of the largest and most magnificent Gothic cathedrals in the world and the symbol of Milan. Construction began in 1386 under Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo and continued for nearly six centuries, finally completed in 1965 with the installation of the last gate. The cathedral is celebrated for its extraordinary Gothic architecture featuring 135 spires, over 3,400 statues, and 55 enormous stained glass windows, making it the largest Gothic cathedral in Italy and one of the largest churches in the world. The interior spans five aisles with towering columns and houses important works of art including the famous Trivulzio Candelabrum, the statue of St. Bartholomew Flayed by Marco d’Agrate, and numerous altarpieces. The Duomo di Milano is particularly renowned for its forest of spires crowned by the golden Madonnina statue (1774); its spectacular stained glass windows dating from the 15th to 20th centuries; the rooftop terraces offering panoramic views of Milan and the Alps; and its role as one of the supreme achievements of Gothic architecture and a masterpiece of international collaboration spanning six centuries.
