{"id":42572,"date":"2026-04-08T17:41:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T17:41:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citiestotravel.com\/is-the-duomo-di-milano-worth-visiting\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T19:12:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T19:12:55","slug":"duomo-di-milano-worth-visiting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.citiestotravel.com\/en\/duomo-di-milano-worth-visiting\/","title":{"rendered":"Duomo di Milano: is the cathedral worth visiting?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The Duomo di Milano is one of the most impressive sights in Milan.<\/a> With its Gothic style and more than 3,400 statues, 135 spires, and 55 stained glass windows, the Duomo attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year. It is therefore no surprise that this iconic church is one of the most popular spots in the city. During a city trip to Milan<\/a>, a visit is a must.<\/p>\n

In this blog, you\u2019ll read everything you need to know about the Duomo di Milano. From its history and what there is to see, to practical information about tickets and the best time to visit.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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What makes the Duomo di Milano so special?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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What makes the Duomo di Milano so special is that it is one of the largest and most complex Gothic cathedrals in the world. The cathedral is entirely built from special Candoglia marble, which gives it its characteristic pink-white color. The structure is adorned with more than 3,400 statues, 135 spires, and 55 stained glass windows. At the highest point stands the gilded copper statue of the Virgin Mary, traditionally regarded as the protector of the city.<\/p>\n

Inside the cathedral, there is also a remarkable relic: one of the nails that, according to tradition, was used in the crucifixion of Jesus. It is displayed to the public only once a year.<\/p>\n

You can also walk on the roof of the cathedral, passing between the flying buttresses and spires. From here, you have a view over the city and the square in front of the Duomo.<\/p>\n

All of these elements together make the Duomo the most recognizable symbol of Milan.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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What is there to see in the Duomo di Milano?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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A visit to the Duomo di Milano consists of several parts. You can explore the cathedral interior, go up to the roof, and visit the museum. Access to the interior is partly free, but this is usually limited to the area where people can pray. For a full visit, including the interior, the terraces, and the museum, you will need a ticket.<\/p>\n

Below, you can read what to expect from each part.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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1. The interior of the cathedral<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Inside the Duomo di Milano, there is much more to see than you might expect at first glance. From remarkable artworks to religious relics, each element tells its own story.<\/p>\n

A striking detail is the sundial at the entrance of the cathedral. A brass line runs across the floor with marble tiles depicting the zodiac signs. Around noon, a beam of sunlight enters through a small hole in the ceiling and shines precisely on the correct zodiac sign depending on the month. This sundial was installed in 1786 by astronomers and still works today.<\/p>\n

In addition, you will find an enormous collection of statues inside. The most famous is the statue of the flayed Saint Bartholomew. This sculpture is unique because the saint is depicted with his skin draped over his shoulders, creating a strikingly realistic and almost anatomical image.<\/p>\n

The 55 monumental stained glass windows are also impressive. The oldest windows date back to the fourteenth century, while the newest were only added in the twentieth century. Especially near the apse, you can see how colored light streams inside. The windows depict stories from the Old and New Testament and are therefore often referred to as the Bible of the poor.<\/p>\n

Near the northern sacristy hangs the Madonna of the Roses, a painting with a remarkable history. According to an old legend, during a period of famine, a woman placed a bouquet of roses at the painting. When she returned later, the withered roses had miraculously come back into bloom. Shortly afterward, her injured son was unexpectedly healed.<\/p>\n

High above the altar is one of the cathedral\u2019s most extraordinary relics: a nail that, according to tradition, comes from the crucifixion of Jesus. It is kept in a tabernacle about 40 meters above the ground and is lowered only once a year during a special ceremony.<\/p>\n

Beneath the cathedral lies another remarkable feature that is often overlooked. Via a staircase at the back, you can enter an underground space where remains of an ancient baptistery can be seen.<\/p>\n

This baptistery was only discovered in the twentieth century during the construction of the metro line beneath the square. Here you can find, among other things, the original octagonal baptismal font and parts of the old basilica that stood on this site before the construction of the current cathedral.<\/p>\n

According to tradition, this is also the place where Augustine of Hippo was baptized by Bishop Ambrose. The space dates back to the fourth century and offers a unique glimpse into the earliest history of Milan.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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2. The exterior and details<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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The exterior of the Duomo di Milano is also impressive and definitely worth taking the time to admire before going inside. The cathedral is built from light pink-white Candoglia marble, which has been used since construction began in the fourteenth century. The fa\u00e7ade is full of details and sculptures, so you keep discovering something new.<\/p>\n

A striking detail can be found above the central entrance, on the left side of the balcony. Here stands a statue that closely resembles the Statue of Liberty in New York. This statue, called La Legge Nuova and created by sculptor Camillo Pacetti in 1810, is even said to have inspired the famous Statue of Liberty<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you stand in front of the entrance and look slightly to the right, you\u2019ll notice another interesting detail. Among the marble decorations, there is a relief of a dragon known as Tarantasio. According to old stories, this dragon lived in a marshy area near Lodi and caused fear and unrest in the region. Eventually, the monster was defeated by Umberto Visconti, after which the dragon became an important symbol of the city.<\/p>\n

This symbol, also known as the biscione, can still be seen throughout Milan today, for example on historic buildings and in the logos of well-known brands and football clubs.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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3. The roof and terraces<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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A visit to the Duomo di Milano is not complete without the rooftop terraces. From here, you get a completely different perspective of the cathedral and the city.<\/p>\n

You can reach the roof via 251 steps or by elevator. Covering approximately 8,000 square meters, it is the largest walkable roof of a Gothic cathedral in the world. Walking among the spires and flying buttresses, you are literally moving through a landscape of marble and intricate details.<\/p>\n

Along the way and on the roof itself, there are many interesting details to discover. For example, subtle decorations can be seen along the stairs, including even pigeons carved into the marble. Once at the top, the spires at the front also stand out, where you can spot statues of boxers. These were placed as a tribute to the Italian boxer Primo Carnera.<\/p>\n

From the roof, you also have a wide view over Milan and the square in front of the cathedral, making this part one of the highlights for many visitors.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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The history of the Duomo di Milano<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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The construction of the Duomo di Milano began in 1386 under the leadership of Gian Galeazzo Visconti. The cathedral was built on the site of earlier basilicas and grew over the centuries into one of the largest churches in Europe. It took nearly 600 years for the Duomo to be fully completed, with the final phase only finished in the twentieth century.<\/p>\n

The design is a mix of different Gothic styles and was influenced by master builders from across Europe. The construction made use of the distinctive Candoglia marble, which was specially transported for the cathedral.<\/p>\n

Today, the Duomo is not only a religious center but also an important symbol of Milan. Beneath the cathedral, remains of earlier buildings can still be found, dating back to Roman times.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Where is the Duomo di Milano located in Milan?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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The Duomo di Milano is located on Piazza del Duomo, the central square of Milan and one of the most famous spots in the city. Almost all major attractions in the city center are within walking distance of this square.<\/p>\n

Address:<\/strong> Piazza del Duomo, 20122 Milan, Italy<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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