Flamboyant in Milan

     Duomo di Milano: Milan, Italy

     This masterpiece was constructed and modified over a very long period of time, spanning several centuries. Construction started in 1386, and Gothic style was new for Italy and the applied material of white marble also made it unique. 

    Many architectural—and engineering—improvements and additions were made, but the completion to a modern look was made after Napoleon's order, meaning that the Cathedral received its recognizable "flaming spires" only in 19th century. The last detail—a gate—was inaugurated in 1965. After everything, Milan received a spectacular cathedral, the 4th largest in the world.

The Cathedral has a new lighting system, based on LED lights.

Oscar Wilde visited Milan in June 1875. In a letter to his mother he wrote: "The Cathedral is an awful failure. Outside the design is monstrous and inartistic. The over-elaborated details stuck high up where no one can see them; everything is vile in it; it is, however, imposing and gigantic as a failure, through its great size and elaborate execution."

Piazza del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo

Special commendations for pictures to our Milan correspondent Mariya Snegur.