The Milan Cathedral stands as a breathtaking symbol of Italian history and Gothic beauty in the heart of Lombardy. While millions admire its white marble facade every year, this massive structure hides many surprising secrets and strange artistic details. Indeed, you can find anything from modern sports gear to ancient astronomical tools tucked within its intricate spires. Furthermore, the building remains a living testament to centuries of relentless dedication and spiritual passion.
Milan Cathedral
Construction on the Milan Cathedral began in 1386 but only officially finished in 1965. This timeline spanned nearly six centuries, which means the project saw the rise and fall of many empires.
Because the project took so long, locals say “like the Fabbrica del Duomo” for any task that never seems to end. This colorful idiom perfectly describes the slow and meticulous nature of the builders who worked across many generations.
The building holds the world record for the most statues on a single structure with a staggering total of 3,400. In addition to these figures, over 130 gargoyles and 700 marble reliefs decorate the walls of the cathedral.
You can spot an ancient version of the Statue of Liberty on the facade that predates the New York version. Sculptor Camillo Pacetti created this figure in 1810, which likely inspired the later design of the American gift.
Interestingly, the gargoyles and spires feature modern sports icons like a tennis racket and even a pair of boxing gloves. These carvings prove that the master sculptors of the Milan Cathedral maintained a playful and contemporary sense of humor.
Napoleon Bonaparte ordered the completion of the facade in 1805 because he wanted a grand venue for his royal coronation. He even promised to pay for the work, though the French state never actually delivered the full payment.
The cathedral houses a red lightbulb in the dome that marks the location of a nail from the True Cross. This tiny light guides the eyes of the faithful to a tabernacle placed 40 meters above the main altar.
Once a year, the Archbishop uses a cloud-shaped elevator from the 16th century to retrieve this sacred Holy Nail. This unique machine, known as the Nivola, allows the leader to reach the high ceiling for a spectacular ceremony.
Leonardo da Vinci once entered a competition to design the central cupola, although he eventually withdrew his own complex submission. He spent years studying the structure, yet he decided his ideas were perhaps too advanced for the technology.
A thin brass line on the floor near the entrance functions as a giant, incredibly accurate meridian sundial from 1786. Astronomers from the nearby Brera Observatory designed this tool to help the city standardize its own official timekeeping.
This sundial uses zodiac tiles to show the seasons as sunlight filters through a small hole in the cathedral ceiling. When the ray of light hits a specific sign at noon, it marks the exact month and solar position.
The Saint Bartholomew Flayed statue depicts the martyr wearing his own skin like a robe over his muscular, naked body. Sculptor Marco d’Agrate showed off his deep knowledge of human anatomy by carving every individual muscle with intense detail.
For decades, a local law forbid any building in the city from being taller than the golden Madonnina statue. This religious rule ensured that the Virgin Mary remained the highest and most prominent protector of the urban skyline.
Today, modern skyscrapers must place a small replica of the statue on their roofs to honor this traditional height rule. As a result, the Madonnina technically still sits at the highest point of every new tower in the city.
You can actually walk across the entire roof of the Milan Cathedral to admire 135 spires up close and personal. This marble terrace provides a breathtaking view of the Alps on clear days and reveals the true scale of work.
