Behind the scenes to “Il gioiello di Milano”
A guide about the Duomo Museum. Whilst visiting the outstanding cathedral in the heart of Milan you can also have the opportunity to delve into the backstory of it by visiting its museum, and here are some insights prior to your visit
By Ailbhe Durkan Sanchez - Aguilar, Josué Fernando Saucedo, Andrea Lopez Miranda Gonzalez
The Duomo of Milan is known to be one of the most iconic buildings this city has to offer. It is also home to a museum that stems from the cathedral itself. This museum houses exclusive pieces of works sourced from the Duomo cathedral and it maintains a perpetual connection to its origins. Filled with enriched pieces of work to extend your knowledge about what is considered a beautiful ‘gioiello’, in the heart of the city of Milano, the Duomo of Milan offers a cultural and religious experience for those that visit.
The Duomo Museum is located in the Piazza del Duomo 12, inside the Royal Palace. It can be easily accessed by mode of public transportation; numerous tram lines run close to the museum and also the metro lines one and three arrive right outside the museum doors. The journalist Justin van Huyssteen stated that the Piazza itself was sight to be seen due to the pink-white marble covered Cathedral which architecturally was “(…) a blend of both Flamboyant Gothic and Perpendicular Gothic [styles]”. Making the area a key point of visit.
To buy a ticket to gain access into the Duomo Museum, we paid 8.50€. This included both walk-in access to the ground floor of the cathedral itself and also entry into the museum itself.
The timetable of the museum states that it is open everyday, except on Wednesday, from 10.00 AM to 7.00PM, with the last ticket being sold at 6.10PM. The tour also includes the visit to the Church of San Gottardo in Corte.
A trip to the Duomo museum provides an introduction for the tourists to explore the cathedral in depth, it allows one to be able to read on the history of how the cathedral was constructed and many more perceptions. It portrays similar characteristics to that of the cathedral; it is a serene, quiet space where tourists can intimately appreciate the sculptures, marble hues of marble and extraordinary artworks that were positioned on the monument, which were at astounding heights. Throughout the museum there are also multiple pieces of the original clerestory windows that were in the cathedral, but are now available for viewing in the museum as they are being restored and preserved.
The museum has a particularly interesting layout to it as it made us walk through the entirety of the museum until one reached the end, passing by multiple artworks. Towards the end of the visit, we are provided with a remarkable replica of the duomo made from wood. By doing this, the museum allows us an opportunity to see the details of the cathedral from a closer perspective. The lightning fixtures on the wall are angled in such a way to curate a silhouette of the building on the wall.
Milan as a city is vibrant and dynamic, it has consolidated as one of Europe’s most important metropolis, and at the heart of the city its ancient cathedral remains; It is dedicated to the nativity of Saint Mary, visible in the golden statue attached to the highest spire of the cathedral, portraying the Virgin; the “Madonnina”, sculpted by Giuseppe Perego on 1774, is an authentic symbol of this Italian city, and was placed in the cathedral 388 years after the beginning of its construction, which started in the year 1386, known as “Fabbrica del Duomo”, the construction lasted about six centuries, and in many ways it still lasts to this day, being subject of continuous restorations and cleanings that keep its white and pinkish marble impressive.
The original project was strongly desired by the ruler Gian Galeazzo Visconti to celebrate the territorial expansion of his family; the eclectic architecture used to erect the cathedral is a triumph of styles, due in part to the presence of the French and German medieval master masons who worked in conjunction with Lombard masters, having as a result a piece of Gothic architecture that masterfully blends international influences with the more modular Lombard tradition, as for ornament, it is decorated with an inordinate number of gothic statues, gargoyles, and figures. Among them, there is also “the New Law”, a statue that is nearly identical to the Statue of Liberty.
The facade, consecrated in 1418, remained unfinished for centuries until Napoleon Bonaparte’s intervention.
Milan’s cathedral is the largest religious precinct in Italy (excluding the Vatican), and it covers an area of over 100,000 square feet which can accommodate up to 40,000 people.
There were many interesting facts and components when we visited the museum, but in particular when we did an interview with Francesco, an employee of the museum, they managed to give us some very interesting insights about the Duomo museum. Francesco described the Duomo in his opinion as “Il gioiello di Milano” because he said it’s so unique to the city of Milano.
“The statues on the roof of the cathedral are diverse stone characters. We have representations like Dante the literature, also political figures such as Mussolini and Vittorio Emanuele III. It may sound crazy but there are even statues of sporting figures like the Italian boxer Primo Carnera”. It’s a unique mix that reflects various aspects of Italian culture and history.” Francesco’s insights of these details highlights the passion and enthusiasm of the museum’s staff.
Francesco stated, “Another thing that I like a lot about this beautiful place is that the stained glass windows are truly fascinating for me. Each window is a masterpiece as it showcases different paintings of Italy. Another interesting fact is that the colors reflect differently when the sunlight beams. I truly believe this brings a lot of charm to the museum”.
Another fascinating detail that Francesco provided to us was that the Museum of the Duomo di Milano also provides different cultural events throughout the year to enrich one’s experience. “entil June by the maestro Alessandro La Ciacera which is very big news for us Italians and we hope also for the tourists that will be visiting in between these months”.
You can find more information on the new announcement they made if you would be interested in experiencing a unique visit to the cathedral alongside going to their museum. We will leave the link available at the bottom of our newsletter so you can take notes on what dates this new performance feature will be hosted in the cathedral.
Nevertheless, this museum is a must see as it offers a deep dive into Italy’s art and history. From the amazing wooden replica of Duomo Cathedral, to the stunning artworks, every moment spent here is an opportunity to learn about Italy’s culture. So if you’re able, don’t miss the chance to visit and explore the museum to let Italy’s artistry captivate your soul. Please feel free to leave your experience in the comments down below!
