Located in the central square of the city, the Milan Duomo is dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente. All streets of Milan seem to start from Piazza del Duomo, making it clear that this area was the core of the foundation of the city.

The Duomo is an immense structure that took almost six centuries to complete. Given its long period of construction, the building features a striking mix of architectural styles. The construction of the cathedral was actually completed thanks to Napoleon Bonaparte: at his behest, the facade was completed in just 7 years and his coronation took place in the Milan Cathedral on May 26, 1805.

The Duomo of Milan is known for its countless pinnacles and spires, in fact, there are over hundreds of them. The body of the building consists of a central nave and four side aisles. The nave is crossed by a transept and ends with the choir and apse. With more than 3,000 intricate statues, carvings, spires, paintings, and stained glass windows, visitors are sure to be amazed by these impressive feats. Also not to be missed is the climb to the Madonnina, one of the symbols of the city. Up until the Pirelli Towers stole the title in 1961, the Madonnina was the highest point in Milan.

If you are visiting Milan, this is the right place to start exploring! Piazza Duomo, with its Cathedral and the incredible surrounding monuments including Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Royal Palace of Milan, and the Museum of the Twentieth Century, is one of the favorite destinations for tourists in Milan, as well as one of the most photographed in Italy!

Book your skip-the-line tickets to explore the magnificent interior, where you can enjoy unusual treasures such as the rock-crystal casket of Borromeo and the statue of skinless Bartholomew. The rooftop terraces can also be accessed for views over the city and a chance to admire those spectacular spires up close. Note that because of security, lines can be long so it’s best to get there early or book a guided tour.

The Duomo of Milan is open every day from 10 am to 7 pm with the last entrance at 6 pm. The Duomo Museum follows the same schedule but is closed on Mondays. Located in the heart of the city, it is easily accessible by public transportation. If you are coming by metro, take lines M1 or M3 to the Duomo stop. Tram 1, 19, 3, and 2 all arrive within a 2-minute walk to the Duomo, otherwise Bus 50,54,58,60,65. It is not recommended to arrive by car because you will have a hard time finding parking.