Milan 2013 part 2 - Duomo di Milano
The main reason to visit Milan as a tourist, Milan Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in the world.
It's almost 160 metres long. So this was a good opportunity to finally test a little software program that stitches together different photos for a larger picture.
Construction started in the 14th century. But as those things sometimes often go, it took place in waves and was only completed in the 20th century.
It has 135 spires.
I don't know how they are counted but I read that altogether there more than 3000 statues of saints, animals and monsters. Here you can spot some of the gargoyles.
Picture of two doors at the front, taken while briefly waiting to get inside. Entering the cathedral is actually free. Though it was my impression there isn't a lot to see inside, at least compared to other cathedrals of that scale.
South of the duomo you can find the Palazzo dell'Arengario which houses the Museo del Novecento, a museum dedicated to 20th century art. Behind to the left you can see part of the Palazzo Reale di Milano, the former Royal Palace of Milan.
On the northern side of the Piazza del Duomo you can find the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
A large shopping arcade that we will visit in the next entry.
At the centre of the piazza, a monument to Victor Emmanuel II who became King of Italy in 1861.
The King and the duomo.
Seeing the cathedral from the piazza is already nice, but what's really great is that you are allowed to climb to the top of the cathedral to get a close-up view. Like for example of these statues.
Being very close to one of the figures on the top of a spire.
Have a look at the people on the lower right to get a feeling for the dimensions.
A clock on the building opposite the cathedral.
For your info, by paying a little extra, you can also reach these terraces by lift.
The Torre Velasca, a skyscraper built in 1950s. When I first saw a picture of this building while preparing for the trip I immediately knew I wanted to see it. It's like a building from a sci-fi movie. It's little over 100 metres tall.
Torre Velasca and the tower of San Gottardo in Corte.
Gargoyles up-close and personal.
The weather was exceptional that day. I very much went overboard taking pictures on the terraces.
Due to budget cuts, the preservation of the building is becoming a problem. So they started a donation campaign. All amounts are welcome, but if you apparently donate €100,000 you can "adopt" one of the spires and a marble plaque with your name on it will get attached to the spire.
View of the very large Piazza del Duomo.
I was already happy that you were able to walk around on the cathedral near the top when I found another set of stairs that takes you to the very top. The view east.
And the view west, the direction of the piazza.
One of the many spires has a statue of Napoleon on it who, in the early 19th century, ordered the completion of the façade. But I don't know which one.
Part of the Palazzo dell'Arengario and the Royal Palace.
On the highest spire you can find a Madonnina statue. It's 108 metres high. It has been tradition that the statue of the Virgin Mary marks the highest point of Milan. When the Pirelli Tower was built, and now also on the newer skyscrapers, a smaller replica was put on top.
A look at the lower terraces.
The skyline to the north, many of the high-rises from the previous entry, among them, the Unicredit building, Bosco Verticale, the Torre Solaria and the Torre Diamante.
Thanks to the excellent weather, the snow-capped Alps were visible in the distance to the north-east. The tower centre-right is part of Sforzesco Castle which we will visit later in the afternoon.
The view from above of the glass dome of the Galleria.
Two more spires for good measure.
The steps that lead up to the top of the cathedral.
And a final look at the Galleria, again with the Alps in the distance.
Needless to say, walking around on the top of the cathedral was the highlight of Milan.