14. Milano - Duomo di Milano

Milan Cathedral is the largest church in Italy, the fifth largest in the world and took nearly 600 years to complete.

Building began in 1386 on a site originally occupied by the most important Roman church of its time, the one opposite the forum.  Therefore, the streets around the cathedral all either circle it or radiate outwards from it.

The facade was finally completed in 1812 under the direction of Napoleon Bonaparte, who ordered the French Treasury to pay for it and who was crowned King of Italy at the cathedral.  The debt to France was never repaid.
Work on the intricate Gothic cathedral has been almost continuous and up close the external spires and statuary appear quite fragile.

While the outside appears to glow a warm shade of white, the inside is surprisingly sombre, but has beautiful highlights around the windows.

It also has an unusual row of windows above the column capitals.  This is because of the unusual way the roof is constructed.

And in some places the stone is quite dark.

This beautiful floor runs throughout and seems to be a pattern often seen in Milan.

This section appears to have benefitted from recent cleaning....

... which continues.  A very slow process with toothbrushes, tiny chisels and sponges.

And after a short ride in the lift and lots of stairs, we discovered the amazing roof terraces of the cathedral.

The terraces allow access to the whole roof area with tourists allowed on the long south side and the central forward sections.

The structure seems so delicate, I wonder how it withstands winds and storms.  We saw photos of frozen water spurting several feet out of the mouths of these gargoyle rain heads.  

On the highest part of the roof looking forward. The pitch is quite pronounced making it difficult for female tourists in high heels!!

The very front central facade.

The white stone is new, the coloured stone is old.  It has all been dismantled and put back together again.  TThis is happening all over the building - never ending task.

And the view down into the piazza, showing the massive sound stage under construction for the Expo.

Hanging on tight on my way back down the steps.