Milan - Cathedral of Santa Maria Nascente 
The cathedral of Santa Maria Nascente, a cruciform basilica faced with white marble, is one of the world's largest and most magnificent churches. With a length of 157m/172yd and a facade 61.5m/67yd wide, it covers an area of 11,700 sq.m/13,993 sq.yd and can accommodate a congregation of 40,000. The dome rises to 68m/224ft, and its total height including the statue of the Virgin known as the "Madonnina" is 108.5m/358ft.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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The roof is adorned with 135 pinnacles, the exterior with 2,245 marble statues. Building, in Gothic style, began in 1386 but made slow progress (dome completed c. 1500, spire 1765-69, facade under Napoleon 1805-13). The imposing bronze doors are modern: the one to the left dates from 1840 and the large central door from 1908; the reliefs on two other doors were carried out between 1948-51, and the last one in 1965.
The rather dark interior, in striking contrast to the brilliant and richly patterned exterior, nevertheless makes a powerful impression with its 52 gigantic pillars. The stained-glass windows in the nave (mostly 15th-16th centuries) are the largest in the world; the eight windows in the dome date from 1968. 15th century stained glass windows can be seen in the south aisle. In the north transept is a fine seven-branched bronze candelabrum by Nicholas of Verdun (c. 1200), and on the east wall of the south transept is a statue, by Marco Agrate (1562), of St Bartholomew, flayed. Note also the wall-tomb of Gian Giacomo Medici (d. 1555). In the octagonal Borromeo chapel leading off the crypt is the Scurolo di San Carlo with the reliquary of San Carlo Borromeo, richly adorned with gold and jewels.
The rather dark interior, in striking contrast to the brilliant and richly patterned exterior, nevertheless makes a powerful impression with its 52 gigantic pillars. The stained-glass windows in the nave (mostly 15th-16th centuries) are the largest in the world; the eight windows in the dome date from 1968. 15th century stained glass windows can be seen in the south aisle. In the north transept is a fine seven-branched bronze candelabrum by Nicholas of Verdun (c. 1200), and on the east wall of the south transept is a statue, by Marco Agrate (1562), of St Bartholomew, flayed. Note also the wall-tomb of Gian Giacomo Medici (d. 1555). In the octagonal Borromeo chapel leading off the crypt is the Scurolo di San Carlo with the reliquary of San Carlo Borromeo, richly adorned with gold and jewels.
Things to See
Treasury
In the south sacristy of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Nascente in Milan is the valuable treasury, with gold and silver work (fourth-17th century). A walk on the roof of the cathedral is an impressive experience, offering magnificent views, which extend on clear days to the mountains flanking the west side of the Po plain. (Access outside the cathedral, on the west side of the north transept: 158 steps, or lifts on east side of transept; then 73 steps to the platform of the dome.)
