Duomo Di Milano Architecture – Styles, Features & More

Duomo di Milano is an architectural masterpiece known for the exquisite cultural blend of Renaissance and Gothic architecture. Renowned for its beauty, marvelous appearance, and Gothic style, the Duomo di Milano’s architecture has and continues to inspire architects from all over the world. Known for its statues, needles, facades, stained windows, etc., this cathedral is a must-visit for all art, architecture, and history lovers.

Let us learn more about the Milan Cathedral’s architecture, including what to expect, what makes it so unique, and the architects behind this beautiful building.

Structure and Appearance of Duomo di Milano

The iconic Italian architecture took around six centuries to complete, and its spellbinding beauty makes it worth the time and effort! The Duomo di Milano’s grand scale and intricate design offer insight into the capabilities of the visionaries who built it and into the city’s rich cultural heritage. Let us discuss the awe-inspiring architecture of the Duomo di Milano in more detail to understand the Milan Cathedral’s architecture better.

Duomo di Milano’s Exterior

The Duomo di Milano’s premises are divided into five sections. Each section has intricate stone carvings, ornate arches, and beautiful statues. The flying buttresses on the building’s exterior are an example of its Gothic architecture. The Duomo’s exterior is known for its vast size, with the building being as tall as around 157 meters long and 93 meters wide.

The Duomo di Milano’s grand scale makes it one of the largest Gothic Cathedrals worldwide. The highest point of its architecture is the La Madonnia Statue, a gilded copper statue added to the structure in 1774. Another notable feature of the exterior is the numerous statues, spires and facades.

Duomo di Milano’s Interior

The interiors of the Duomo di Milano’s architecture are yet another jaw-dropping sight, and visitors are immediately awestruck by the interior’s grandeur and beauty. Visitors can see soaring vaults, intricate stone carvings, and the world-famous stained glass windows inside the Duomo di Milano.

The interior of the Milan Cathedral is divided into five naves with 40 columns, each 24.5 meters tall, supporting these five naves. The Duomo’s interior houses several notable artworks, including mosaics, ornate statues, and must-see frescoes. The stained glass windows filter the incoming light, creating a serene and ethereal atmosphere inside the Duomo di Milano.

Highlights of Duomo di Milano

Here are the major highlights of the Duomo di Milano’s architecture:

The Milan Cathedral’s Door

One of the major highlights of the Duomo di Milano’s architecture is the cathedral’s door. There are five doors, and the central door is the biggest. The central door, carved in 1906 by the very talented Lodovico Pogliaghi, is themed around stories of Mary’s life. Visitors can spot different aspects of the Central Door, such as the Cross, the Crucifixion, the Nativity of Jesus, Christ carrying the Cross, and the Flagellation of Christ. Other aspects include Jesus bidding farewell to his mother, the Virgin’s marriage, and the Nativity of the Virgin Mary.

The Statue of Saint Bartholomew Flayed Alive

This statue is said to be one of the best in Milan and is a must-see for all visitors. It is known for its infamous creepy stares and intricate features. The statue depicts St. Bartholomew, one of the 12 beheaded apostles.

Church of St. Gottardo

The Church of St. Gottardo is one of the most prominent highlights of Duomo di Milano’s architecture, and its access is included in the Duomo di Milano Ticket. The church uniquely blends Lombard Gothic, Neoclassical, and Baroque styles and boasts a bell tower. Visitors can explore the famous artworks from Puccio Capanna and Stefano, among others, in this church.

Maddonia Statue

The Maddonia Statue, or the La Maddonia Statue, is the centerpiece of Milan and the highest point of the Duomo di Milano’s architecture. This statue is made of gilded copper and is worth seeing on your trip.

The Archaeological Complex at Duomo di Milano

It is one of the most unique and exciting highlights of the Milan Cathedral’s architecture. It houses several antique churches and sites. Grab your Duomo Milan tickets to explore this area. The most popular sites within the Duomo Milan’s complex include the Basilica Venus, the Baptistery of Santo Stefano alle Fonti, and an ancient center of the Christian religion.

Spires and Needles

The Milan Cathedral’s unique architecture includes numerous spires, needles, and statues. The Duomo di Milano’s architecture has over 34,000 statues and 135 spires. In fact, the Duomo’s main facade has six buttresses, and it is crowned with statues and obelisks.

Architects Behind Duomo di Milano

The magnificent Duomo di Milano’s architecture owes its existence to several visionaries, and some of them are:

• Simone da Orsenigo: Orsenigo was the man behind the initial design of Milan Cathedral in the 14th century.
• Nicolas de Bonaventure: Bonaventure was appointed The Milan Cathedral’s architecture chief engineer in 1389. 
  He incorporated the Rayonnant Gothic style into the Duomo di Milano’s architectural design.
• Jean Mignot: Mignot was involved in the ongoing Duomo di Milano architecture work plan to assess the work and make necessary improvements. 
  His insights ensured the structural integrity of the Milan Cathedral’s architecture.
• Leonardo da Vinci: the Renaissance polymath, gave his two cents to the work as he was deeply interested in it, given his love for art. 
  However, no evidence proves his direct involvement in constructing Duomo di Milano’s architecture.

FAQs about Duomo di Milano’s Architecture

Suggested Articles:

Featured Image: Samuel Isaacs on Unsplash