Milan Cathedral, 600-year-old Gothic masterpiece, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world.

Excluding the Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica, the Duomo di Milano ranks as the largest church in Italy, with a capacity to house up to 40,000 people, and the third or fourth largest in the world. It took almost 600 years to build the cathedral, with final details added only in 1965. Cathedral is approximately 157 meters long and 92 meters wide, with its tallest spire reaching 108.5 meters. In 1805, Napoleon Bonaparte ordered the completion of the facade, desiring it to be finished before his coronation as King of Italy in the cathedral. In gratitude, a statue of Napoleon was placed on one of the spires. Over 3,400 statues, 700 marble figures, and 135 gargoyles decorate the exterior. The statue known as "The New Law", located on the main balcony, predates the American Statue of Liberty by over seven decades and is believed to have inspired sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi.
The 52 massive columns represent the 52 weeks of the year, symbolizing the presence of God throughout all time and the entire liturgical year. The capitals of these columns are uniquely decorated with statues of saints and apostles - a detail that distinguishes the Duomo as the only church in the world with such ornate pillar decoration. The high altar serves as the spiritual heart of the cathedral since its consecration in 1418. It is located directly beneath the apse, where a red light bulb marks the spot where one of the Holy Nails from the Crucifixion is stored.

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