Images of Milan Cathedral. Digital Imaging Project: Art historical images of European and North American architecture and sculpture from classical Greek to Post-modern. Scanned from slides taken on site by Mary Ann Sullivan, Bluffton College.

Milan Cathedral--page 1 (of three pages)

1380's-19th century

Begun in the 1380's on a site where several churches had existed earlier, the building of this cathedral was fraught with difficulties. Over a number of years several different architects and consultants (including Leonardo and Bramante) were asked to work on the design.

The cathedral is white marble, over a brick core, and has a cruciform plan. One of the largest cathedrals in the world (14,000 square yards) it was designed to accommodate 40,000 worshippers. The forest of pinnacles, the tracery panels, and the rich embellishment with statuary identifies it as Late Gothic. Closer to France than most Italian cathedrals, it borrows more directly from the French "rayonnant" style.

The Cathedral at different times

The main entrance portal
In the 1650's work was begun on the western facade but it was not completed until the 19th century. This facade is more classical in detail than Gothic.

Pinnacles and flying buttresses

Entrance and dome of the Galleria (far right) across from the Duomo Piazza

The roof and the piazza from the roof
Work was begun on the cupola in the late 15th century. The spire, completed in the 18th century, extends 350 feet above the cupola.

Continue to page 2--rear exterior.
Continue to page 3--interior views.

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Copyright © Mary Ann Sullivan. I have photographed (on site), scanned, and manipulated all the images on these pages. Please feel free to use them for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes.

Page created by Mary Ann Sullivan

Begun in the 1380's on a site where several churches had existed earlier, the building of this cathedral was fraught with difficulties. Over a number of years several different architects and consultants (including Leonardo and Bramante) were asked to work on the design.
		The cathedral is white marble, over a brick core, and has a cruciform plan. One of the largest cathedrals in the world (14,000 square yards) it was designed to accommodate 40,000 worshippers. The forest of pinnacles, the tracery panels, and the rich embellishment with statuary identifies it as Late Gothic. Closer to France than most Italian cathedrals, it borrows more directly from the French "rayonnant" style.

The Cathedral at different times

The main entrance portal In the 1650's work was begun on the western facade but it was not completed until the 19th century. This facade is more classical in detail than Gothic.


Pinnacles and flying buttresses


Entrance and dome of the Galleria (far right) across from the Duomo Piazza


The roof and the piazza from the roof Work was begun on the cupola in the late 15th century. The spire, completed in the 18th century, extends 350 feet above the cupola.