Duomo di Milano

It is the most extraordinary example of late gothic italian architecture, besides that three catholic church of the world for dimensions (after the basilica of S.Pietro in Vatican and the Duomo in Siviglia), can entertain 40.00 people. Begun in 1386 for want of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, rises on the place of the medieval basilica of S. Maria Maggiore. For its building was employed the marble coming from the Maggiore lake transported on barges long the Ticino, then through the Naviglio Grande, until one dock in correspondence of the present via Laghetto. The hightest pinnacle arrives to 108.5 metres and is that surmounted from the statue of the "Madonnina" coated of 39000 golden shit. It is possible to visit the Duomo roof, place of singular strolls among the pinnacles (that are 145) and from where is possible to admire striking panoramas of the city. Indoors of the cathedral coming down under the church plaza of the Duomo, there are the residues of the Baptistery of S.Giovanni alle Fonti, point of start for a fleeting, but interessant visit to the residue of the roman Milan. In the near Palazzo Reale there is the Museo del Duomo, ended and renewed, that entertains documents about the building of the cathedral and art works of the Duomo and accepted in the museum to avoid that weather-beatens and smog spoiled it (on the Duomo was placed perfect copys).