The Duomo of Milan or Milan cathedral is a monument in Italy that stands out for its history, its Gothic architecture, and the large number of things to see inside, on its rooftop, and in surrounding areas. This temple represents the religious and social center of the Lombard capital.
The Duomo of Milan is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world and functions as the Metropolitan cathedral of the Archdiocese of Milan. These are some of the Cathedral’s most relevant aspects:
The history of the Duomo of Milan officially began in 1386. Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo promoted the project and acted as the first prelate in charge of the new cathedral. He had the support of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, the first Duke of Milan, who commissioned the work and ceded the Candoglia marble quarries for its construction.
The objective was to create a monument that reflected the power of Milan in Europe and to modernize the religious center of the city, replacing the old Basilica of Santa Tecla and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Throughout the centuries, construction progressed slowly under the direction of various European architects. A decisive milestone occurred in 1805 through the intervention of Napoleon Bonaparte. The French military leader, who was crowned King of Italy in this same venue, ordered and financed the completion of the main facade.
In the religious sphere, the figure of Carlo Borromeo stands out. He was an archbishop and saint of the Catholic Church who is buried inside the cathedral. He promoted reforms to adapt the space to the decrees of the Council of Trent, a key event during the Counter-Reformation. This 16th-century internal renewal movement of the Catholic Church emerged as a response to the Protestant Reformation and sought to reaffirm doctrine, discipline, and the role of religious art and architecture.
The current use of the Duomo combines its function as the seat of the Archdiocese of Milan with its role as a cultural and tourist center of world relevance.
In summary, the key timeline of the Milan cathedral is the following:
The interior of the Milan Cathedral stands out for its monumental scale. Notable highlights include the sculpture of Saint Bartholomew Flayed and 55 stained-glass windows, among the largest in Italy, which narrate biblical scenes. Near the entrance, a brass Sundial functions as a solar clock, marking the months with sunlight.
Also located near the entrance are the 12th-century Trivulzio Candelabrum and Italy’s largest Pipe Organ, featuring 15,800 pipes. Beneath the high altar, the crypt houses the crystal coffin of Saint Charles Borromeo. The entire structure is supported by 52 giant pillars representing the weeks of the year.
The marble floor displays a three-dimensional geometric design, while a red light at the top of the apse marks the location of The Holy Nail. Finally, the archaeological area in the subsoil reveals the remains of a baptistery from 387 AD.
The exterior of the Duomo of Milan is a display of engineering and art in marble. The Madonnina, a golden statue of the Virgin Mary located 108.5 meters high, crowns the highest point and protects the Milanese.
To appreciate the details up close, it is possible to access the rooftops, a walkable terrace between pinnacles. Along the cornices, there are gargoyles, a total of 96 figures that decorate the cathedral and serve to drain rainwater.
Access to the temple occurs through the Duomo’s doors, five solid bronze doors where the central one illustrates the life of Mary. For its part, the 135 spires, a series of needles that reinforce the Gothic verticality, define the silhouette of the building.
In addition to these elements, the external statues total more than 2,300 carved figures representing prophets, saints, and historical characters. The combination of these pieces turns the facade into an open-air sculpture museum that took centuries to complete.
The Cathedral of Milan is located at Piazza del Duomo, 20122 Milano MI, Italy. The easiest way to arrive is by metro, using lines M1 (red) or M3 (yellow) and getting off at the “Duomo” station.
Multiple tram lines also have stops in the vicinity. Since it is a central pedestrian zone, private vehicle access is restricted, and authorities do not recommend it due to the difficulty of parking.
The Duomo of Milan opens daily for tourist visitors from 9:00 to 19:00, although the staff allows the last entry half an hour before closing. The archaeological area and the terraces may have slightly different hours depending on the season or special religious events.
We recommend checking the schedules on the official site of the Milan cathedral before visiting, especially during national holidays or important liturgical celebrations.
Visitors must follow a respectful dress code to access the cathedral, as it is an active place of worship. Visitors must keep their shoulders covered and wear pants or skirts that reach at least to the knee. As a Reddit user recommends: “Do not wear short pants. Bring a shawl for your shoulders.”
The staff does not allow entry with hats, transparent clothing, or excessively informal attire. Security personnel perform checks at the entrance and may deny access to those who do not comply with these rules.
The ideal time to visit the Duomo is early in the morning, right at opening, to avoid large crowds of tourists. Weekdays are usually quieter than Saturdays and Sundays.
Additionally, sunset is the best time to climb the terraces, as the sun highlights the details of the Candoglia marble and offers spectacular views of the city skyline. According to the experience of a Reddit user: “We were lucky to be at the top of the cathedral during sunset and it was breathtaking!”
The Duomo area is surrounded by the main points of interest in Milan. The map of the complex includes the main cathedral, the underground archaeological area, the upper terraces, and the Duomo Museum located in the adjacent Royal Palace.
It is useful to orient yourself using the Piazza del Duomo as a central reference, with the Galleria Vittorio Emanuel II located to the north and the Palazzo Reale to the south of the cathedral building.
The Duomo of Milan is the seat of the Archdiocese of Milan and the throne of the Archbishop, which gives it the rank of metropolitan cathedral. The cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, its full name being Cattedrale di Santa Maria Nascente (Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Nativity). Before the current building, the Basilica of Santa Tecla stood on this same land; its remains are still visible in the underground archaeological area.
Regarding liturgical activity, the Duomo maintains a rigorous calendar of masses, which take place daily: Monday to Friday at 7:00, 8:00, 11:00, and 17:30 at the high altar; on Saturdays, a mass is added at 17:30; while on Sundays and religious holidays, the schedule expands to 7:00, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 (Chapter Mass), 12:30, and 17:30. Access for prayer and participation in the sacraments is free and occurs through a specific entrance, separate from the tourist flow.
A distinctive aspect of great theological value is that the Duomo does not follow the standard Roman Rite, but rather the Ambrosian Rite. This liturgical tradition is unique to the Milanese archdiocese and dates back to Saint Ambrose, bishop of the city in the 4th century.
The main differences from the Roman Rite include an Advent calendar that lasts six weeks instead of four, variations in the structure of the Mass (such as the exchange of peace before the presentation of the offerings), and its own terminology in prayers. This uniqueness makes the cathedral an exceptional case within the liturgy of the Catholic Church in the West.
The strategic location of the cathedral allows access on foot to the most significant monuments of Lombardy.
These are some of the buildings near the Duomo of Milan:
This museum is essential for understanding the magnitude of the cathedral. It houses the original sculptures, gargoyles, and stained-glass windows that the administration has removed from the main structure for conservation reasons. Its rooms allow for a close observation of aspects that are impossible to detail on the facade of the Duomo due to the height.
Popularly known as the “drawing room of Milan,” this 19th-century shopping gallery stands out for its glass and iron dome. It connects the Piazza del Duomo with the Piazza della Scala and is famous for its floor mosaics and its historic high fashion and gastronomy establishments.
This former center of government was the residence of the rulers of Milan for centuries. Currently, the Royal Palace is the most important exhibition space in the city, where international-level art exhibitions are organized in its neoclassical rooms.
The remains of the baptistery of Saint Stephen, along with that of San Giovanni alle Fonti (located under the cathedral), form part of the archaeological complex that shows the Early Christian past of the city. It is a key site for understanding the religious topography before the construction of the current building.
Located in the Palazzo dell’Arengario, right on one side of the Piazza del Duomo, this museum is the main reference for 20th-century Italian art. It houses a collection that includes masterpieces of Futurism, such as “Unique Forms of Continuity in Space” by Umberto Boccioni, as well as pieces by Kandinsky, Modigliani, and Picasso.
Just a one-minute walk from the Duomo is this area which, during the Middle Ages, was the administrative and commercial center of Milan. It is surrounded by historic buildings such as the Palazzo della Ragione (the old court), the Loggia degli Osii, and the Casa Panigarola. It is a place with a curious acoustic: if a person speaks through the pillars of the loggia, the sound travels to the opposite pillar.
In addition to the Duomo, Milan houses the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie, famous for Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” and the Basilica of Saint Ambrose.
Yes, an entrance ticket is required. Visitors can buy tickets to enter the Duomo of Milan and also access the rooftop to see the Madonnina.
It is famous for being the largest Gothic church in Italy, its facade with thousands of statues, and its long construction process.
Inside rest historical figures such as Saint Carlo Borromeo, Saint Galdino, and several archbishops of the city of Milan.
The word “Duomo” comes from the Latin Domus, which means “house,” referring to the “House of God” or the main church of a city.
The Duomo is a cathedral (as it is the seat of the bishop) and also a minor basilica, in addition to being a church for worship.
