Sometimes the best way introduce yourself to a city is with a tour, and this time, in Milan, we had booked a small-group Evening Rooftop Tour of the famous Milan Duomo with Viator tours. It was as amazing as we had hoped it would be! The tour was not only incredibly interesting (imagine wandering through all those tall spires), but also gave us a birds-eye view of the fabulous city of Milan.
We met at 5:00 in the evening in front of the Duomo where our knowledgeable tour guide told us all about the history and construction of the cathedral.
The Flamboyant Gothic Milan Cathedral (Duomo) is dedicated to St Mary of the Nativity (Santa Maria Nascente). Construction began in 1386 and it took nearly six centuries to complete. The Duomo was built upon an earlier 4th century church site and an even earlier Roman Basilica site. It is the fifth largest church in the world and is the largest church in Italy.
Frenchman, Nicolas de Bonaventure, was appointed chief engineer. He added Rayonnant Gothic element, a French style not typical for Italy. He decided that the brick structure should be panelled with marble. The Fabbrica del Duomo was granted exclusive use of the marble from the Candoglia quarry and exempted it from taxes.
Frenchman, Nicolas de Bonaventure, was appointed chief engineer. He added Rayonnant Gothic element, a French style not typical for Italy. He decided that the brick structure should be panelled with marble. The Fabbrica del Duomo was granted exclusive use of the marble from the Candoglia quarry and exempted it from taxes.
In 1571, Archbishop appointed Pellegrino Pellegrini as chief engineer. A Renaissance appearance was designed for the cathedral, that would emphasise its Roman/ Italian nature, and subdue the Gothic style, but this design was never completed. At the beginning of the 17th century the foundations of the new façade were laid and work continued until 1638 with the construction of five portals and two middle windows.
During the centuries of construction, grand Gothic and Roman Renaissance designs were planned for the Duomo, most of which were never completed, but these designs, particularly those of Carlo Buzzi, became inspiration for the later completion of the cathedral façade.
During the centuries of construction, grand Gothic and Roman Renaissance designs were planned for the Duomo, most of which were never completed, but these designs, particularly those of Carlo Buzzi, became inspiration for the later completion of the cathedral façade.
The fabulous façade you see today was the inspiration of Napoleon Bonaparte who at the time, was about to be crowned King of Italy. He ordered the façade to be finished by Pellicani. Within only seven years, the Cathedral had its façade completed. Pellicani, who largely followed Buzzi's designs, added the spires and neo-Gothic details to the upper windows. Napoleon was crowned King of Italy at the Duomo.
After the introduction, we headed to the elevator to speed up to the top of the cathedral. An additional 50 steps up brought us up onto the sloping roofs and tall stone spires and pointy gables decorated with their delicate tracery. Walking paths lead through this stone labyrinth indicating that even from its creation, the rooftop of the Duomo was meant to visited and admired.
We stood near beautifully carved statues and found a variety of gargoyles, characters and tiny animals in the stonework. Carvings that simply cannot be seen from the ground, reserved all these centuries only for the most curious of us; those who ventured up onto the roof. Our guide directed us to find the interesting sculptural gems hidden among the intricate carved designs, like the Head of Mussolini and also to take note of the only original stained glass windows remaining in the cathedral, the Clerestory Windows.
The spires continue to be restored and replaced with fresh marble even today, so the work on the great cathedral has never really stopped. We passed several restoration projects during our tour of the rooftop.
Interestingly, over the centuries, those who wished to donate privately to the Duomo upkeep and restoration are recognized with small plaques (many with no names, just dates) located in the stonework of the rooftop buttresses.
Interestingly, over the centuries, those who wished to donate privately to the Duomo upkeep and restoration are recognized with small plaques (many with no names, just dates) located in the stonework of the rooftop buttresses.
Ever spectacular, you can’t ignore the amazing view from the rooftop of the Cathedral. Milan's layout, with streets either radiating from the Duomo or circling it, reveals that the Duomo occupies what was the most central site since Roman times.
When you finally reach the top center of the cathedral roof, you have a magnificent view of the tallest spire on the cathedral.
The Madonnina Spire or guglia del tiburio ("lantern spire"), is one of the main features of the cathedral, and was erected in 1762 at the height of 108.5 m (356 ft). The spire was designed by Francesco Croce. At the top of the spire is the polychrome Madonna statue, designed and built by Giuseppe Perego in 1774. Our guide asked us to imagine travelers over two centuries ago, after weeks of crossing the Italian countryside, approaching the city and seeing the sparkling gold Madonnina high up in the horizon. The Madonna would be seen as reassuring to pilgrims and traders that they would soon be in the city of Milan.
The Madonnina Spire or guglia del tiburio ("lantern spire"), is one of the main features of the cathedral, and was erected in 1762 at the height of 108.5 m (356 ft). The spire was designed by Francesco Croce. At the top of the spire is the polychrome Madonna statue, designed and built by Giuseppe Perego in 1774. Our guide asked us to imagine travelers over two centuries ago, after weeks of crossing the Italian countryside, approaching the city and seeing the sparkling gold Madonnina high up in the horizon. The Madonna would be seen as reassuring to pilgrims and traders that they would soon be in the city of Milan.
Surprisingly, the rooftop housed a modern statuary art gallery adding a novel and refreshing element to the end of our tour. We took our time lounging among the art pieces, enjoying the peaceful breeze and taking in the view before heading back down into the busy streets of Milan.
This Evening Rooftop Tour with Viator is truly one you shouldn’t miss. We loved it!
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