The enormous while marble Milan Cathedral is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world and a stunning place to visit. You need to be suitably dressed to visit and not take too much luggage with you as any of your belongings are searched before you enter through large bronze door portals into the vast interior. The first impression is of space and tall pillars topped with sculptured figures circling up high above you. There was a rehearsal taking place as we entered so music wafted through the holy space.
We went down some steps into the Baptistry which has an octagonal basin from 378 and is the 1st such one in Christendom. You need plenty of time to explore both amongst the archaeology below the Cathedral, and to visit the various chapels with their stained glass.
Do not miss going up, either by lift or stairs, to the Cathedral terrace for amazing views of all the pinnacles on the Cathedral, as you walk over the sloping marble roof and look down on the Piazza and across to the finance district with tall skyscrapers in Milan.
There is a hair raising climb up more marble steps to the plateau of the Cathedral to see the golden Virgin Mary at 365 ft high, on the spire glinting in the sun. We missed the visit to the Crypt which was closed by the time we had seen everywhere else, but it is worth buying the inclusive ticket to see everything.
