The cathedral in Milan is dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente. The Gothic structure took 6 centuries to complete. This won’t come as a surprise to anyone standing in front of it.
The cathedral was begun in 1386 by Archbishop Antonio da Saluzza. The marble was quarried from Candoglia. Various architects and engineers worked on the building, including Frenchman, Nicholas de Bonaventure, giving the cathedral distinct French style. Napoleon also had a hand in the construction, much later on, in 1805, when he insisted that the facade be completed. He was crowned king of Italy in the cathedral.
The fact that it is still standing for us to admire is a miracle. Much of Milan was bombed in WWII, but the cathedral escaped the bombing and stood firmly in place.
It has been cleaned recently and it is looking magnificent, even on a dark, misty morning.
The interior is very grand.
The stained glass windows are glorious.
The souvenir stand seems a little out of place…..a spaceship appears to have landed.
I find the exterior absolutely fascinating. Have a look at some of the sculpture which covers the building.
The bronze doors tell many stories.
To get a wonderful view of the roof, go to the terrace of the Rinascente department store.
It is particularly lovely at sunset.
Amazing work… good shots!
By: maru on November 16, 2012
at 10:36 pm
Thank you…it is a wonderful subject.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 17, 2012
at 1:22 am
Phenomenal photos! Can’t wait to revisit–the Duomo has never looked better.
By: nuovastoria on November 16, 2012
at 10:38 pm
As I said, it is worth going to Milan just to see this glorious building.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 17, 2012
at 1:23 am
Deb your photography is fabulous, can’t wait to go back next year.
By: Jan Fabretti on November 16, 2012
at 10:53 pm
I hope you come to Lucca as well.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 17, 2012
at 1:23 am
My favourite cathedral in the whole world. I keep going back and it still gives me the same feeling of awe.
By: Dianne L on November 16, 2012
at 11:00 pm
It is amazing to stand in front of this cathedral and marvel at the work that has gone into it.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 17, 2012
at 1:24 am
You really captured the splendor, Debra. The white facade looks amaaaaazing against the black sky!
By: jann on November 16, 2012
at 11:04 pm
My camera was misbehaving at this point, but it rallied for the cathedral.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 17, 2012
at 1:25 am
Beautiful work, Debra! Love the statues “balancing” on the tips.
By: Karen Overton on November 17, 2012
at 12:12 am
They have done a great job cleaning the building, it looks stunning.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 17, 2012
at 1:25 am
Stunning pictures Debra.
Pam Proctor
By: Anonymous on November 17, 2012
at 1:56 am
Thanks, it’s a stunning building.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 17, 2012
at 2:57 am
Love the Duomo! It really does look like a white wedding cake!
By: Moira on November 17, 2012
at 5:57 am
It is spectacular, no wonder it took so long to build.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 17, 2012
at 9:53 am
It is magnificent work of art . Great photos, Debra.
By: mulino dominillo on November 17, 2012
at 6:33 am
I could stand in front of it for hours, in fact I think I did.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 17, 2012
at 9:54 am
Beautiful images as always. I especially love the ones of the Duomo at sunset -this post makes me long to go back to Milan.
By: Just Add Attitude on November 17, 2012
at 8:56 am
Go to Rinascente for the best views.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 17, 2012
at 9:54 am
You know, I live here, but I feel like you’ve given me a new glimpse of my city’s duomo. Thank you so much. You’ve captured it’s spirit perfectly! (Did you go on the roof? Very much fun!)
By: The Daily Cure on November 17, 2012
at 9:16 am
I have walked in the roof, it is fabulous to be there among the carvings.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 17, 2012
at 9:55 am
40 + years since I first saw it and it is still the most magnificently spectacular building I have seen to date. I just love it and the photographic opportunities are endless….
I hope BDL survived the recent heavy rain & floods that seem to have devastated parts of Tuscany & Umbria?
By: Maggi Fuller on November 17, 2012
at 10:18 am
Some of the roads around BdL have been damaged, but mostly the town seems to be OK from the reports I have had from friends.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 21, 2012
at 10:22 pm
Especially the (now) weathered green doors!!!
By: Maggi Fuller on November 17, 2012
at 10:22 am
I loved Milan and the Duomo was one of the most beautiful cathedrals that I saw while in Europe. Definitely worth it.
By: mallhaciel on November 17, 2012
at 10:35 am
This one, the one in Siena and Venice are my favourites in Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 21, 2012
at 10:24 pm
Holy Toledo, it’s spectacular!! Your close-ups so revealing; always some kind of strife has been going on..throughout our history. Regardless, they had time for art, construction and the miraculous outcomes. It must feel other-worldly, as well, when you enter the massive doors. All those spirits, from all those centuries, crowding around you with a warm welcome to view it ALL! I’ve never been there, but you did a beautiful job of bringing it to us. Again. Grazie.
By: Caterina on November 17, 2012
at 2:51 pm
It is incredible to walk through these doors and to think of all the people who have been there before, it can make you feel insignificant.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 21, 2012
at 10:19 pm
Thank you Debra… This is a post that Italians have to read and know… I’m very glad to reblog it!
By: roberto alborghetti on November 17, 2012
at 3:26 pm
Reblogged this on robertoalborghetti and commented:
AN INTERESTING POST BY DEBRA KOLKKA. A GREAT MEDIEVAL MONUMENT AND A GREAT PHOTO-GALLERY ! MILAN THANKS YOU DEBRA!
By: roberto alborghetti on November 17, 2012
at 3:29 pm
Yes indeed it is one of the most unique cathedrals in Italy. Thank you for all the wonderful pictures they are stupendous!
By: laniersmith on November 17, 2012
at 3:59 pm
I think the interior is quite sombre and I always feel that I have to be very quiet and serious there.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 18, 2012
at 5:19 am
Yes! No matter how flamboyant for exciting the outside of a church is…it is all hush hush on the inside.
By: laniersmith on November 18, 2012
at 5:28 am
I always see and learn something new whenever I revisit the Duomo. My parents grew up about 45 minutes north of Milan and they can remember seeing the bomb blasts in Milan. My mom told me that, during the War, they took down La Madonnina at the top of the Duomo to protect her from the bombings. I love your picture of the staues at sunset. Absolutely gorgeous.
By: tesorotreasures on November 18, 2012
at 2:29 am
I was lucky to be there at just the right time for those photos.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 18, 2012
at 5:20 am
Brilliant pictures!
By: petit4chocolatier on November 19, 2012
at 12:30 am
Thank you.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 19, 2012
at 3:52 am
So true Debra. It’s a spectacular building and you have taken some amazing photos.
By: Cathy Powell on November 19, 2012
at 10:29 am
Thank you. I love this building and never miss the opportunity to visit whenever I am in Milan.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 21, 2012
at 10:20 pm
Reblogged this on Matteo's World and commented:
Add your thoughts here… (optional)
By: Matteo on November 19, 2012
at 2:25 pm
[…] http://bagnidilucca.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/it-is-worth-going-to-milan-just-for-this/ […]
By: The gothic façade of Milan Cathedral « matteofini on November 19, 2012
at 2:36 pm
What an awesome piece of architecture! That souvenir stand is certainly incongruous 🙂
By: Madhu on November 19, 2012
at 6:47 pm
The cathedral is stunning…even with the stand.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 19, 2012
at 10:40 pm
Many have blogged about this. I can definitely spot how much of a pro blogger you are. This is a magnificent post about a highly recognized, magnificent building. LOVE LOVE the details. And the sunset shots – WHOA!
Three centuries to build such masterpiece. Just incredible. Totally worth it. It’s hard labor that gives out better results.
By: rommel on November 21, 2012
at 9:38 pm
My camera was playing up a lot in Milan. I was lucky to get any shots at all, but I persisted with it and I love the sunset shots.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 21, 2012
at 10:12 pm
Persistenc-y is the best quality …. of picture-takers and bloggers. 😀
By: rommel on November 21, 2012
at 10:14 pm
I’m in awe! Love those detail shots.
By: Amy on November 24, 2012
at 7:07 am
I saw your post on Milan as well. It is a magnificent building isn’t it?
By: Debra Kolkka on November 24, 2012
at 10:24 am
Walking on the roof top was simply breathtaking. I can’t wait to revisit Milan again, I had the best of times there.
By: Nat on November 29, 2012
at 2:05 pm
[…] There were so many wonderful places visited in 2012…Lucca, Florence, Milan, […]
By: My favourite places in 2012 « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on December 31, 2012
at 12:35 am
[…] It is worth going to Milan just for this (bagnidilucca.wordpress.com) […]
By: » The gothic façade of Milan Cathedral matteofini.org on May 20, 2013
at 10:55 pm
[…] Milan…don’t let anyone tell you this is an ugly industrial town. It is full of the most elegant shops in the world and some of the most stylish people you will see anywhere. If you are interested in fashion Milan should be on your list of places to visit. It has fabulous restaurants and galleries and a magnificent cathedral that defies description. […]
By: Places to go | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on January 20, 2014
at 9:53 pm
It’s truly a magnificent building and you have done full justice to it.
By: Francis on August 23, 2015
at 9:24 am