The Duomo of Milan – Tickets for the Cathedral and Rooftop

Duomo square with the Milan Cathedral Duomo and
equestrian statue of Vittorio Emanuele II

The Duomo in Milan is a majestic building in white marble with an extension of more than 157 m lengths. It is a cathedral of five ships the is overwhelming. The light falls through beautifully decorated stained glass windows into the interior of the Duomo.

The Duomo of Milan is the main Cathedral and dedicated to the sacred Santa Maria Nascente.

In 1386 started the works of the Milan cathedral under the Duke Gian Galeazzo Visconti. During the construction period of five centuries, numerous international architects worked at the Duomo of Milan. It is the most important example of Gothic architecture in Italy.

Tickets for the Duomo of Milan (Interior and Rooftop)

Duomo of Milan on the Cathedral Square

The Duomo in Milan is a Catholic cathedral and therefore a sacred place where people pray and confess. The regular Christian Eucharist is celebrated in the important Milan Cathedral. This means that there should be silence in the cathedral and the cell phones must be switched off. Entry is only permitted in appropriate clothing. Entry is denied to tourists in shorts and uncovered shoulders. The cathedral is fully functional and can be closed at short notice for religious ceremonies or special occasions. In this case, the tickets purchased remain valid.

Opening times

Milan Cathedral is open to visitors daily from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., last admission 6 p.m. The entrance to the interior of Milan Cathedral is on the right. Security checks with a metal detector are carried out at the entrance. The central nave of the cathedral is wheelchair accessible.

The interior of the Duomo of Milan
can accommodate up to 40,000 visitors

Duomo Milan Ticket to Skip the Line

Before access, visitors must buy an admission ticket. The ticket office (also pick up reserved tickets) is on the right side of the Duomo, Piazza del Duomo 12.

Due to adverse weather conditions, the visit route for the rooftops can change, including partial or complete closure, to ensure the safety of visitors.

Skip the Line with Fast Track Ticket

To skip the line, you can buy a combined fast track ticket that you allow access to

• the interior of the Milan Cathedral
• Roofs with the elevator
• Cathedral museum
• archaeological area
• Church of San Gottardo
• Access is organized on a time-controlled basis.

With the Fast Track Ticket you have a prescribed time for the visit. This is to skip the line.

Combined tickets for the Duomo and Rooftop of the Duomo

Combined tickets have a three-day ticket validation. We recommend climbing on the rooftops of the Duomo in Milan in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid long waiting times.

Our insider tip: pick up your tickets in the afternoon at 5 p.m. and early morning access to the cathedral. Tickets for the cathedral and roof are still valid the next day.

The elevator to the cathedral roof is outside the cathedral on the left behind the cathedral. After leaving the elevator, you have to climb other stairs to vistit alla parts of the rooftop.

 

Facade of the Duomo Milan in white marble

The Duomo of Milan in White Marble

The cathedral is made of white marble that came to Milan from Lake Maggiore via Ticino and the Naviglio canal system. The large blocks of marble were shipped by water to Milan as far as the cathedral's construction site. The port of the canal (Naviglio) was right behind the cathedral. The Lago Maggiore is still today the mining area of ​​the Candoglia marble, which may only be used for the restoring of the cathedral. The cathedral was built over 500 years and is constantly being restored.

The basic shape is a Latin cross with a length of 158 m (outside) or 148 m inside. The greatest internal width in the transept is 57.6 m. The Milan Cathedral is divided into 5 naves. The middle corridor is twice as wide as the side walkways.

The marble roof of the cathedral is supported by 52 columns. Each has a height of 24 m and a diameter of 3.40 m. Additional reinforced concrete beams connect the foundation walls with the columns to support the massive building. The cathedral's heavy marble roof is a problem for the construction, so constant reconstruction work is required to maintain the statics.

In 1567 began the work on the facade in a classical baroque style. During the long construction period, a variety of styles and shapes have been incorporated into the construction. In 1805 the work on the façade was completed. The construction of the towers on the roof continued until the 19th Century.

There is space for around 40,000 visitors on an area of ​​11,700 m². In the middle of the Duomo of Milan is the vestibule with presbytery.

Particular attention should be paid to the stained-glass windows that tell the story of the church from the old and new testaments. Around 10,000 guests visit Milan Cathedral every day, including around 1,000 believers to celebrate the Christian ceremonies. There are confessionals where believers of the Catholic faith can confess. There are priests who speak several languages. Confessions can be made in different languages ​​in the Milan Cathedral.

The Rooftop of the Cathedral of Milan

View from the rooftop of the Duomo Milan to the Alps

The roof of the Candoglia marble cathedral on Lake Maggiore is also a unique innovation in the construction of the Duomo in Milan.

On an 8000 m² roof area you can admire the 135 spiers of the cathedral.

It is a special pleasure to walk on the roof of the cathedral. On the north side, a staircase and an elevator lead to the roof terrace on the roof.

Then you are surrounded by over 4000 marble figures, the Guglie. These figures with ornaments stand on the tips and each of them is unique.

Admire the magnificent view from the rooftop over the city of Milan:

• The steel and glass cross under which the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is located
• the Rinascente department store right next to the cathedral
• the new Milan skyline in the Porta Garibaldi area
• the outstanding football stadium San Siro
  
• The first skyscraper in Milan, Torre Velasca, behind the Palazzo Reale Royal Palace.

On a clear day you can see the entire belt of the Alps in the north. This begins in the west with the Monte Rosa massif, in the north the Swiss Alps rise. In front of it are foothills via Como and Bergamo to the top of the Bernina.
In the south, the view extends to Monte Viso, about 300 km away on the French border in the southwest, and the Apennines before Genoa.

Madonnina and Cathedral Spiers

There are a total of 3,400 statues on the rooftop of the Duomo of Milan. Each of the statues is individually made and there are no equal shapes. The statues are called Guglie, which form lots of little spikes on the cathedral roof.

On the highest point of the Duomo of Milan is the golden Madonnina. The golden statue glows in the sun at a height of 108.50 m. The Madonnina is 4.16 m tall and protects the city of Milan.

Duomo Square with the white marble Cathedral of Milan and equestrian statue