How often do we get to walk on history? In the morning of June 9th JoAnn and I took the elevator to the roof of the Milan Duomo to stroll along the roof and gaze at the marvelous thing that captured my attention many years ago. In fact, this was our second time to take this walk and it was probably more spectacular this time.
I am fascinated and overwhelmed when I reflect on the talent and effort it took to build such a special place. It is the third largest cathedral in Europe surpassed only by St. Peter’s in Rome and the Seville Cathedral. When one looks at it from ground level it is an enormous building with saints, merchants and other religious figures adorning spires looking toward the heavens and to God.
Made of white and pink marble, it is almost too much to digest; it overpowers you. Gothic in design, it seeks union with the clouds. It is the center piece of a proud city, a city that treasures its historic past and seeks to preserve it for the future.
What I have decided to do with this post is skip the narrative and let you visit the rooftop with JoAnn and me. Look for us in a few photos and watch out for flying buttresses. Enjoy the skill of the architects, the masons and stone carvers and think about the laborers that spent their lives making a treasure for us and for future generations.
Enjoy your trip.
Presently the cathedral is undergoing cleaning and restoration. So, here’s another look at the roof.
And now we make our way down. Only 250 steps or so to the bottom. Hope you enjoyed your visit.
Beautiful!
These are truly amazing !!
Thanks Jim. Glad you like the photos.