Milano’s Cathedral is dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente and it is placed in the city centre just next to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It is one of the bigger religious buildings in Europe, the first one in Italy, a huge example of gothic architecture.
The works began in 1387 and it rose where once there was the winter cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore and the summer Basilica of Santa Tecla, which were both demolished to create space for the Cathedral. The works were committed by the archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo and the city mayor Gian Galeazzo Visconti.
The works for the Cathedral began 6 centuries ago and went on for all these centuries. The Basilica is formed by 5 naves and a transept with 3 naves. There are a lot of elements that make this Cathedral unique: the several sculptures, around 3400, sculpted between 1400 and 1900, they mostly represent saints, patriarchs, prophets and martyrs; the 55 monumental windows and the statue of the golden “Madonnina” 4,16 meters high, inaugurated in 1774. It was made by Giuseppe Perego, and placed at the highest point of the Cathedral, the crypt where San Carlo Borromeo rests and the terraces from where there is a splendid sight of Milan. The Cathedral guards many works that had a teaching purpose for the believers, which could experience faith with their eyes. There are also some paintings, especially of the period of Borromeo. A lot of architects and artists worked at this construction site and every one of them influenced it with their own style, which nevertheless remained basically as late gothic.
In 1418 the main altar was consecrated to Papa Martino V. The façade of the monument is realised with white and rosy marble typical from Candoglia. There is a detachment from the regional tradition of the fired bricks, in fact the style of the building approaches to late gothic style.
To visit the Cathedral of Milan and the other museums of this city you can contact Italy Travels, specialized tour operator in cultural itineraries. You can call the 0039 055 2670402 or send an e-mail to info@italy-travels.it or visit the site www.ticketsmilan.com.
