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The Duomo. Cathedral of Milan
The Duomo, Cathedral of Milan
The Duomo is Italy’s largest Gothic building which has been mesmerizing visitors since it was begun by Galeazzo Visconti III (1351-1402), the first duke of Milan, in 1386. It was finally consecrated in the 15th century, though it was not completed until the coronation of King Napoleon in 1809. The cathedral is one of the intricate Gothic buildings ever built, for its size (capacity 40,000) and intricacy it has no rivals in this land of incredible architecture. The cathedral is ornamented with over 2,000 marble statues and 135 marble spires. The oldest part of the building is the apse. Its three immense bays of tracery, the bay adorning the outside of the stained-glass windows, is one of the highlights. In the southern transept is the tomb of Gian Giacomo Medici. The tomb owes some of its design to Michelangelo but was completed by Leone Leoni (1509-90), it dates from the 1560s. The apse’s main features include to the magnificent windows, the sacristy doors on the right and left of the altar. The lunette on the right dates from 1393 and was decorated by Hans von Fernach. The one on the left also dates from the 14th century and is arbitrated to Giacomo da Campione and Giovanni dei Grassi. To climb to the Duomo’s roof; walk out the left (north) transept to the stairs and elevator. On the highest tower is the famous Madonnina. The roof is adorned with marble pinnacles, the whole of the cathedral, including the roof, is decorated with precious white marble transported from the quarries near Lake Maggiore by Duke Visconti’s team. New roads and canals were built to enable this massive undertaking.
Italian Lakes Tourist Information Guides – Tourism in Varese.
