Milan’s cathedral, clad in Candoglia marble, rises with flying buttresses, dense pinnacles, and the golden Madonnina. A centuries‑long building history meets a living maintenance culture: the Veneranda Fabbrica manages quarrying, stone replacement, iron cramps, and cleaning while keeping worship and tourism active.
Begun in 1386, the Duomo synthesizes Gothic forms with Lombard craft. Spires and tracery crown a vast interior of clustered columns.
Candoglia marble weathers under pollution; blocks are quarried, carved, and swapped in cycles. Iron cramps are inspected for corrosion, joints repointed, and surfaces cleaned with gentle methods.
Flying buttresses, timber roofs, and lead sheets demand inspections. Rooftop terraces allow close views; safety systems manage crowds among pinnacles.
Reserve roof access; dress appropriately for the cathedral and plan time for the museum and archaeological area.
