Travels in Italy--Milan (Part 1 of 3)

We recently traveled to Milan again and enjoyed the wonderful sites there. 

Milan's Cathedral:  A clear afternoon allowed the sun to light the cathedral brightly;  located on Milan's main square.  The delicate statues form spires that are very distinctive atop this cathedral.

Milan's cathedral seen from the upper floor of a nearby museum

Here are some fun facts about the cathedral:

• Name:  The cathedral is commonly known aa the Duomo.  Its formal name is the Basilica cattedrale metropolitana di Santa Maria Nascente (Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Nativity of Saint Mary).

• Capacity:  40,000

• Height:  354 feet

• Length/Width:  520 feet L, 302 feet W (A soccer match could be played inside if it weren't for all those pesky pillars holding up the roof.)

• Spires:  135

• Rank:  The Duomo ranks as the 5th largest Christian church in the world.

POP QUIZ:  What is the largest church in Italy?

Milan Galleria:  Also located on the main square is the very large Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.   Through this triumphal arch is a fancy shopping mall.

One of the world's oldest shopping malls, the Galleria opened in 1877 and was named for the first king of the Kingdom of Italy.  In Italy, there are many monuments dedicated to Vittorio Emanuele II, because he is considered one of the fathers of modern Italy.  There are even important monuments dedicated to him in Rome, despite his being excommunicated by the Pope for attacking Rome.

Next Up:  Art in Milan.