The Cathedral The Duomo, which traditionally symbolizes the city of Milan, is the most extraordinary example of Italian late Gothic art. It ranks third in terms of dimension after the Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in Rome and Seville's Cathedral. Located in the very heart of the city it represents both the core of the city and the unavoidable destination of countless visitors from Italy and abroad. The construction of the Duomo began in 1386 promoted by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, lord of Milan, and continued for centuries. The Duomo is entirely covered from its base with pinkish-white marble. In the facade five large portals are inserted carrying high-relief illustrating sacred and historical scenes such as "The life of Sant'Ambrogio". Wide slabs of marble make up the roof of the Duomo, which can be reached by a steep external staircase, consisting of 919 steps, carved between the left side and the transept. The effort of "climbing" the Doom is highly rewarded by the magnificent view of the surrounding plain up to the Alps; should the weather be ungenerous it will still be possible to enjoy the vision of the "Madonnina", the golden statue of the Virgin Mary, the 135 lace-like spires and the many statues which decorate the roof. On entering the majestic interior of the cross-shaped cathedral, the sight is captured by the polychrome stained glass windows depicting scenes from the life of the saints. The eight naves of the Cathedral are divided by 52 gigantic pillars topped by a series of niches with statues. Vittorio Emanuele Gallery The Vittorio Emanuele Gallery links the Cathedral to Alla Scala Theatre. It is a pedestrian precinct, covered with steel and glass and it has a cross plan. It is the meeting place of the society of Milan: here you can find people of every age and nationality: it hosts book shops, cloth's shops, restaurants and luxury cafés and for the ones who loves music there is the famous "Ricordi" Mega Store. Sforzesco CastleBuilt for purely defensive reasons by Galeazzo II Visconti around 1368, the Castello lost its initial destination as a fortress to assume that of a kingly dwelling but only to resume its original role of efficient fortress in 1450 under Francesco Sforza, the new Lord of Milan. His successor, Ludovico il Moro, turned the Castello into one of the most sumptuous courts of Renaissance Italy and a point of attraction of the most talented artists of the time. With the sixteenth century began the slow and fatal decline of this massive building. In the eighteenth century the Castello was taken over by the Austrians who, with the exception of the French rule by Napoleon between 1796- 1814, kept it until the liberation of Lombardy by Vittorio Emanuele II. Sant’AmbrogioA fine example of the Romanesque-Lombard churches, it was founded between 379 and 386 by Sant’Ambrogio, patron Saint of Milan, as a basilica dedicated to Christian martyrs. Sant’Ambrogio himself was buried there in 397. The exterior of the church consists of an atrium, with porticos on three sides, while the fourth is partly integrated in the façade. Underneath the portico are preserved architectonic fragments from the original construction. It is worthwhile mentioning the two bell-towers flanking the façade. In the interior of the Basilica, one of the most interesting works is represented by the famous Altare d’Oro, a masterpiece of Carolingian gold craftsmanship dating back to 836. |
|
Diario
di bordo