The Duomo di Milano, also known as Milan Cathedral, stands at the heart of the city in Piazza del Duomo. It is a Gothic cathedral, and its elaborate spires and richly decorated facade are among the first things a visitor notices as they cross the square.
The building is the largest church in Italy and the third largest in the world, a scale that becomes clear once you stand before it. Its full formal name, the Cattedrale Metropolitana della Natività della Beata Vergine Maria, reflects its role as the principal church of the city and its diocese.
What to expect
- The facade: Few visitors leave without spending time looking up at the carved front and the forest of pinnacles above it.
- The spires: The many slender spires give the roofline its distinctive character and are visible from across the surrounding streets.
- The square: Piazza del Duomo is a lively open space, and the cathedral makes an ideal anchor for a walk through the historic centre of Milan.
Planning your visit
The cathedral is a short walk from other parts of central Milan, so it fits easily into a day of sightseeing in the city. Because it is a working place of worship as well as a major attraction, it is worth allowing time to see it at a relaxed pace and to take in its scale. For visiting details, you can contact the cathedral by telephone at +39 02 7202 2656.
