Statues and Gargoyles and Spires, Oh My! (Fun Facts on the Duomo di Milano)

Easter Sunday the world was invited to attend a special concert featuring Andrea Boccelli from the Duomo di Milano. During a time in which we are all in self-isolation, this was a beautiful way to bring the world together. It was nice knowing that my family, my parents, my relatives in Italy, and friends from all over the world were tuning in at that exact moment. When Andrea Boccelli walked outside and stood alone as he sang Amazing Grace, I became emotional because a few months ago we were there ... and now the world is all topsy turvy. 

Anyway, I provided some fun facts on the Duomo for my group before we left on that Girls' Trip, and I'll share them here. Gargoyles, a holy nail, Mark Twain ... like I said, fun facts. 

P.S. My 2019 Girls' Trip to Italy (Days 6, 7, 8) features our day in Milano. 

Fun Facts: The Duomo di Milano

1.      HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO BUILD THE DUOMO DI MILANO?

I could go into the details of how at least 78 different architects were involved in the construction, or how politics, lack of funding, wars and plagues complicated matters, but basically the answer is this: construction on the Duomo officially began in 1386 and was not completed until 1900. So … six centuries!!

2.      STATUES AND GARGOYLES AND SPIRES, OH MY!

While exact numbers vary, there are more than 3,300 statues (including over 100 gargoyles) and 136 spires that decorate the cathedral.

3.      THE MADONNINA (Little Madonna)

Atop one of the spires is a gold Madonnina (the Little Madonna) which has become a symbol of the city and a patroness to people of Milan. During WWII a grey-green cloth was placed over the statue as camouflage so as not to be an easy target for bombers. She remained covered for the duration of the war. 

4.      THE HOLY NAIL

Inside the Duomo di Milano, above the apse and marked by a small red light, is a nail that is believed to come from the cross of Christ.  Each year the Rito della Nivola takes place in September for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. During the ceremony, the Archbisop of Milan ascends on a structure resembling a cloud decorated in papier-mâché with angels and cloud (nivola = nuvola = cloud), retrieves the nail, and brings it down for viewing. It remains on the ground for 40 hours, after which it is put back in its place high above the tabernacle.

Interestingly, this tradition began with a procession held by St. Charles Borromeo during the plague of 1577.

5.      IT’S ONLY SKIN DEEP

To the left of the altar is an interesting statue—St. Bartholomew Flayed (1562) by Marco d’Agrate. The saint is standing with his flayed skin draped over his shoulders like a stole.

6.      HISTORICAL EVENTS

Many historical events have occurred in the Milan Cathedral—The Edict of Milan was issued from the Cathedral in 313 (thereby legalizing Christianity) and in 1805 it was where the coronation of Napoleon took place.

7.      A CATHEDRAL WITH A VIEW

Visitors can visit the roof of the Cathedral. Access is made through 6 stone stairways and two elevators, and 33 stone bridges crisscross the two sides of the roof allowing visitors to wander among the statues. On a clear day, you can see the Alps in the distance.

8.      WHO’S WHO

Johannes Sebastian Bach served as the Cathedral’s second organist and played there for two years, during which he composed two masses: a Requiem and a Te Deum. (Incidentally, the Duomo’s organ is the largest in Italy with 15, 800 pipes.)

Poet Percy Bysshe Shelley read literature inside the Cathedral.

British poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson enjoyed the view of the Alps from the Duomo.

Mark Twain visited Milan in the summer of 1867 and mentions the Cathedral (and his visit to the rooftop) in Chapter 18 of his travel book, The Innocents Abroad.

My mother on the roof of the Duomo with her father (my Nonno).

clockwise from top right: the Madonnina, the Rito della Nivola, 

the Duomo, St. Bartholomew