Must Do in Milan: Climbing the Roof Terrace of the Milan Duomo

This might be too touristy but really, it’s just beautiful up there. Trust me on this!

The skies were grey and it was drizzling when we went up the roof terrace of the Duomo, but even with the bleak weather conditions, it was gorgeous up there. The views were still spectacular and the whole experience brought me closer to the Gothic Age.


The complexity of the details is just amazing. 

I was so thrilled to see sculptures of seraphims everywhere, and the sea of gothic minutiae on the wing arches and the pointy spires jutting out from the edges, they are all so elaborately designed. You can get a closer look at them and even inspect their details, and after staring at the chubby little angels for a long time, I think I might have seen one of them winked at me. Haha. I have a Fine Arts background so this kind of stuff gets me excited.

Anyway, I can only surmise that architects in the medieval times truly make their lives complicated? Sans the romanticisation of the Medieval Period, life before indeed was not only complicated but dangerous as well. Life expectancy was short. I can’t imagine what the safety procedures were during the building of this church. Perhaps there was none.

So what am I trying to say here? It is a cool experience to walk on the roofs of the cathedral and enjoy the panoramic views of Milan and the Piazza del Duomo down below. It’s worth the money and the climb, and I managed to take really nice pictures as well!

The entrance to the roof terrace is at the back of the cathedral. We chose the combi ticket with the lift. You go up first with the lift and the rest of the 82 steps you have to climb it yourself. A cheaper ticket is available without the lift which I believe is a climb of about 250 steps. Not an option for us though.

Definitely a must do if it’s your first time in Milan.


Literally walking on the roof of the cathedral.


The Corso Vittorio Emanuele below (the street).


I so love these close up shots of the angels.


And these ones as well. I think one of them just winked at me =)


 Need to take a pose, haha.


Another beautiful detail, acanthus leaves.


The final steps to climb before finally reaching the top.


The view down to the Piazza del Duomo.


The statue of the first king of Italy, King Vittorio Emanuele.


The chic historical shopping mall: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.


Finally at the top! The rooftop of the Milan Duomo.


In the far distance you can see the modern buildings of Milan's business area.


The staircase to reach to the top, and the roof arches, and wings and spires.


The views down to the Piazza del Duomo are beautiful, doesn't matter the weather really.


Statues standing on top of the spires.


People queueing up to get inside the Royal Palace of Milan. I do not like long lines so we never made it to the palace.


Yup a looooong line to the Royal Palace.


Travel Period: April 2014
Destination: Milan (Lombardy), Italy

Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
Location: Milaan, Italië

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