Milan Cathedral (Part Three).

Text, Illustrations and Captions taken from Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia,
unless stated otherwise.

English: The famous "Madonnina" atop the main Spire of the Cathedral.

A Baroque Gilded-bronze Statue, it is 108 metres (340 feet) from the ground.

Italiano: La guglia principale del tiburio del Duomo di Milano (opera dell'architetto barocco Francesco Croce), sovrastata dalla celebre "Madonnina", 

statua barocca in rame dorato, modellata da Giuseppe Bini. 

Foto di Marco Bonavoglia.

Released to public domain by Eugenio45 in it.wikipedia.org (file "Madonnina.jpg").

This File: 10 December 2005.

User: Attilios.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In the following years, most of the missing Arches and Spires were constructed. The Statues on the Southern Wall were also finished, while in 1829 - 1858, new Stained Glass Windows replaced the old ones, though with less aesthetically significant results. The last details of the Cathedral were finished only in the 20th-Century: The last Gate was inaugurated on 6 January, 1965.

This date is considered the very end of a process which had proceeded for generations, although, even now, some uncarved blocks remain to be completed as Statues. The Duomo's main façade went under renovation from 2003 to early 2009: As of February 2009, it has been completely uncovered, showing again the colours of the Candoglia marble.

Italiano: Interno del Duomo di Milano. 

Foto di Giovanni Dall'Orto, 28-1-2007.

English: Inside the Cathedral in Milan, Italy. 

Picture by Giovanni Dall'Orto, 28 January 2007.

Current File: 31 January 2007.

User: G.dallorto.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In November 2012, officials announced a campaign to raise funds for the Cathedral's preservation by asking patrons to adopt the building's Gargoyles. The effects of pollution on the 14th-Century building entail regular maintenance, and recent austerity cuts to Italy's Culture Budget has left less money for upkeep of cultural institutions, including the Cathedral. 

To help make up funds, Duomo Management launched a campaign offering its one hundred and thirty-five Gargoyles for "adoption." Donors, who contribute €100,000 (about Canadian $128,000) or more, will have their name engraved under one of the grotesque figures perched on the Cathedral's rooftop. The figures serve as drainage pipes.

Italiano: Interno del Duomo di Milano. Foto di Giovanni Dall'Orto, 13-1-2007.

English: Interior view of the Cathedral in Milan, Italy. 

Picture by Giovanni Dall'Orto, January 13 2007.

This File: 20 January 2007.

User: G.dallorto.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Plan of the Cathedral consists of a Nave, with four Side-Aisles, crossed by a Transept, and then followed by Choir and Apse. The height of the Nave is about 45 metres (140 feet), the highest Gothic Vaults of a complete Church (less than the 48 metres of Beauvais Cathedral, which was never completed).

The Roof is open to tourists (for a fee), which allows a close-up view of some spectacular Sculpture that would otherwise be unappreciated. The Roof of the Cathedral is renowned for the forest of openwork Pinnacles and Spires, set upon delicate Flying Buttresses.

English: The Organ in Milan Cathedral.

Polski: Wnętrze Katedry Duomo (Mediolan - Włochy)

Photo: 25 August 2012.

Source: Own work.

Author: Spens03.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Cathedral's five broad Naves, divided by forty Pillars, are reflected in the hierarchic openings of the façade. Even the Transepts have Aisles. The Nave Columns are 24.5 metres (80 feet) high, and the Apsidal Windows are 20.7 x 8.5 metres (68 x 28 feet). 

The huge building is of brick construction, faced with marble from the quarries which Gian Galeazzo Visconti donated in perpetuity to the Cathedral Chapter. Its maintenance and repairs are very complicated.

Milan’s Cathedral has recently developed a new lighting system, based on LED lights.

PART FOUR FOLLOWS.