Milan, part 2

Duomo Cathedral in its whole size and beauty slowly revealed itself while we were climbing up from the subway halls to the Duomo square. It was a scene of a "rising sun".
We took an honorary first walk around the entire church and then took the elevator to the roof where we met with an unforgettable scene. Astonished by its perfection we couldn't take our eyes of it.

Milan's Duomo is the world's largest Gothic cathedral; its construction began in 1386, and it took 500 years to complete. It was a bright sunny day so we could really enjoy all the beauty of this magnificent church. Above the forest of 135 spires and 3,500 statues, the small gilded copper statue of the Virgin, the ‘Madonnina', erected in 1774, stands over the central lantern, 109m above the city. I can't say if it is more beautiful outside or inside.

St Charles Borromeo, its most important benefactor, lies buried at its heart.
There are some images from the interior of that great church.

 

This frightening statue shows poor St. Bartholomew opened muscles and veins with his skin, completely removed from his body, carelessly thrown over the shoulders.

From the piazza in front of the cathedral , the glass-domed cruciform Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery is a vast Belle Epoque shopping arcade. It was built to link the Piazza del Duomo to the Piazza della Scala and soon became Milan's conservatory. Winter and summer, the Milanese can be seen here, escaping the rain, browsing the exclusive shops, restaurant and places with fast food.

When you're in Milan, it means that you can not miss the chance to see the Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci. The fresco is located in the church Santa Maria delle Grazie and can't be visited without prior reservation. The ticket we bought over the internet was quite expensive, 17.5 Euro, but being able to stay in front of one of the most famous pieces of art is something I consider to be a once in a lifetime opportunity and well worth it.

Situated at the level of the spectator's point of view it covers the wall so that it looks like there's an open space besides the existing one.
Today, this picture is not in a very good condition and it's constantly getting worse. Of course people are constantly trying to restore it and I hope that the right recipe to preserve this masterpiece will be found.
To be continued....