The Duomo is one of the biggest Roman-Catholic cathedrals in the
world, and the largest in Italy. It is situated right at the centre of
the metropole of Milan. It is a typical example of Italian gothic, and
its construction took several centuries, starting in 1386 and ending
in 1950.
When standing at the Piazza del Duomo, one can see its enormous
façade, including its many huge doors and statues depicting several
scenes and persons. You can even pay a visit to the roof, where you
can see even more statues and also enjoy a great view over the city.
You can not only go up, but you can also go down to see an
archaeological site and some remains from past times. Inside the
Duomo, there is much to behold: statues, paintings, organs, and of
course the building itself.
Visiting such a huge building is a great experience. I enjoyed it very
much, and I spent hours there. Be aware of the other tourists that
want to visit as well: book your ticket on time!
More about Duomo!
Milan has a lot more fancy buildings to explore. Right next to the
Duomo is the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele. It is Italy’s oldest
shopping gallery, named after the first king of the Kingdom of Italy.
Its construction took from 1865 until 1877 and was done by the
architect Giuseppe Mengoni.
When facing the Duomo, the Galleria is to your left. You can enter it
from the Piazza del Duomo. When entering, you will see an arching
glass roof high above you. Shops are all around, and probably you’ll
find yourself to be in a crowd again. You can find book stores,
restaurants, and even the famous Prada and Gucci stores (be careful:
the prices are shocking, as we have experienced). When arriving in the
middle, you’ll be protected from the rain by a magnificent dome. Feel
free to look around and I can recommend to take some nice pictures!
Located at the edge of the Parco Sempione is the Castello Sforzesco.
The castle, built from red bricks, is quite a different sight than the
Duomo and Galleria. It contains several different towers and a big
courtyard. Its construction started in the 14 th century and was built
in order of the Visconti family, which ruled Milan at the time.
Nowadays, it houses several museums.
When visiting the castle, I recommend you to also visit it during the
evening, as the lights in and around the castle make it nice to see.
Also, you can enjoy a stroll in the park. You can even walk further
and visit the Piazza del Cannone, and feel at peace at the Arco della
Pace.
Where shall I go to next month?