Milan Cathedral

The Milan Cathedral stands on the site where a Celtic sanctuary originally was located, and in Roman times, there was a temple of Minerva. The location of the cathedral has always been central to Milan, starting from the Roman period. Beneath the cathedral lies the old octagonal baptistery, dated to 335 AD. Over time, various religious buildings were erected here, including the first church built around 355 AD, and the church of Santa Maria Maggiore from the 7th century. After a fire in 1075, reconstruction began in the Duomo style.

The construction of the current Gothic cathedral started in 1386, initiated by Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo. For the construction and management of the project, the "Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano" was created. In 1389, the Frenchman Nicolas de Bonaventure was brought onto the project, who proposed facing the brick walls with marble. Duke Gian Galeazzo Visconti supported the project, providing the builders with marble from the Candoglia quarry and exempting it from taxes. The construction continued for centuries, alternating periods of active work with slowdowns due to financial and technical difficulties.

In 1452, under the leadership of Francesco Sforza, the nave and passages up to the sixth level were completed. In 1470, Guiniforte Solari joined the project, incorporating Renaissance elements into the design, including the octagonal dome.

In 1769, a 106-meter spire with a four-meter statue of the Madonna, which became a symbol of Milan, was installed on the cathedral. The final phase of construction began in the early 19th century according to a project approved by Napoleon, who was crowned in the cathedral in 1805. Architects Carlo Amati and Giuseppe Zanoia completed the facade in Gothic style, preserving the historical continuity and architectural value of the project. The cathedral was finally completed in 1813, becoming an important symbol of the city and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

The overall length of the cathedral is 158 meters, the width of the transept is 92 meters, and the height of the spire is 106.5 meters. The cathedral can accommodate up to 40,000 people.

The cathedral has a cruciform plan, with a long central nave, two side aisles, a transept, and a deep choir. The interior space of the cathedral creates a feeling of airiness and light, thanks to the high columns and pointed arches that support the vast vaults.

The facade is adorned with a multitude of sculptures, stained glass, and decorative elements, each executed with incredible precision and craftsmanship. In total, the facade and roof of the cathedral are home to over 3,400 statues and more than 135 spires, making it one of the most decorated cathedrals in the world. It features martyrs and saints, mythical creatures, and famous historical figures. Among the figures adorning the cathedral, one can find Napoleon Bonaparte; he is placed atop one of the neo-Gothic spires built by his decree.

The central facade of the cathedral is a majestic creation of Gothic architecture, crowned with a huge rose window, surrounded by numerous statues and decorative elements. Five main portals lead inside the cathedral, each of which is also richly decorated.

The cathedral's exterior appearance, airy and ethereal, is linked to the choice of facing material. White-pink marble from Candoglia was used for the finishing. The material looks different depending on the time of day.

Particular attention deserves the rainwater spouts, the oldest of which date back to the very beginning of the cathedral's construction. The spouts are traditional Gothic elements in cathedral architecture, depicting various monsters, from whose mouths water flows during rain.

One of the most outstanding elements of the cathedral is its Madonnina, a golden statue of the Madonna, placed at the highest point of the central spire. This statue has become a symbol of Milan and can be seen from various points of the city.

The Milan Cathedral is unique in that it combines elements of different styles and eras, reflecting the long history of its construction.

The interior space of the cathedral is distinguished by its magnificence and scale, creating a sense of elevation and solemnity. The interior creates a feeling of vast space thanks to its high vaults, wide naves, and numerous columns. The space of the cathedral is divided into five naves by large pointed arches, supported by massive columns. The main central nave leads to a spacious transept and a deep chancel.

One of the features of the interior is its lighting. Light enters inside through numerous large stained glass windows, creating bright colorful reflections and emphasizing the details of the architecture and decor. The oldest of these date back to the 15th century. The cathedral houses the largest temple stained glass, located in the apse and constructed by the Bertini brothers in the 19th century. The stained glasses of Milan Cathedral are true art, depicting biblical scenes and saints, as well as scenes from the history of Christianity and Italian culture.

The cathedral's marble floor, covered with three types of marble, is adorned with an elegant pattern. Black, red, and white stone was specially brought for construction from three different corners of Italy.

Milan Cathedral is also known for its magnificent musical instruments – the organs. They are considered among the most powerful and melodious in the world. Organ music concerts, regularly held in the cathedral, attract music lovers from around the world.

The cathedral houses a large number of world-significant artworks, as well as important Christian relics. The interior is adorned with numerous artworks, including sculptures, frescoes, altars, and sacred relics. Special attention is deserved by the main altar, executed in an exquisite style, and chapels, each with its unique history and decorations. Among the most significant artworks in the cathedral is the statue of Saint Bartholomew by Marco d’Agrate, renowned for its detail and expressiveness. The saint's body, having suffered martyrdom, is depicted without skin, holding it on his shoulders.

Under the choir of the cathedral is a crypt where Cardinal Borromeo, one of the most venerated saints of Milan, rests. The crypt also houses important relics and artifacts associated with the history of the cathedral and the Catholic Church in Italy.

The magnificence of Renaissance sculptural art is embodied in the mausoleum of Gian Giacomo Medici, created in 1563. The mausoleum is adorned with elegant sculptures. For a long time, it was believed that the masterpiece was created by Michelangelo Buonarroti himself. However, research conducted in the 20th century did not confirm this. The mausoleum became the last burial left inside the church. At the end of the 16th century, a decree was issued prohibiting the storage of the deceased within church walls, to prevent the outbreak of epidemics and the spread of diseases.