Milan Cathedral Culture & history

Discover the iconic symbol of Milan with your access-all-areas ticket to the Duomo and see the 600-year-old cathedral. Learn about the history of St. Ambrose and the cathedral's important role during the evolution of the city both spiritually and culturally.  Admire city panoramas from the Duomo Terraces. Built using Candoglia marble, on bright days, you can see as far as the Alps and the Apennine Mountains. Have the option of taking the elevator (not included). Admire the Duomo's 27 halls and its 14th-century Palazzo Reale's stained glass window, tapestries, and sculptures.

Enjoy a seamless entrance to the Milan Cathedral, the international symbol of Milan, and one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Italy and in Europe. Visit this treasure of art and faith and discover its peculiarities, amongst which the spellbinding stained-glass windows and vertiginous columns. Discover the history of beautiful statues, such as the most famous statue of all the Cathedral: the Saint Bartholomew Flayed. See Sarcophagi, magnificent altars, and stunning organs.

Avoid the hassle of buying an entrance ticket to the Milan Duomo on the day by picking one up in advance. By far the most unique feature of the cathedral is its vast terraces, granting a panoramic viewpoint over Milan and a birds-eye perspective on the church itself. With options to challenge yourself by mounting the 250 stairs up to the terraces, or to take a ride on the convenient elevator, the terraces are accessible to all with a desire to see this iconic sight. Once you’re on the terrace, peer out over the city from over 150 feet (ca. 46 meters) above street level while taking in the characteristic rows of white marble spires. An enduring symbol of Milan, the cathedral broke ground in 1386, only to be finished in 1965. Built of stunning marble quarried from the Candoglia region, there are few better examples of Italian Gothic architecture in existence.

Take advantage of this pass for Milan’s open-top hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus and enjoy panoramic views of the city. This ticket gives you access to 4 separate but connecting bus loops and allows you to jump off at the attractions you want to explore further. Choose from commentary available in 10 languages via audio guide and hear facts about notable buildings like the Opera House and the Castello Sforzesco. You'll also learn about local food, including the recipe for Cotoletta alla Milanese and the history of the panettone. Line A: Stop 1 - Castello Stop 2 - Cadorna Stop 3 - Cenacolo Stop 4 - Corso Magenta Stop 5 - Duomo Stop 6 – Monte Napoleone Stop 7 - Manin Stop 8 - Moscova Line B: Stop 1 - Duomo Stop 2 – Monte Napoleone Stop 3 - Manin Stop 4 - Repubblica Stop 5 - Palazzo Lombardia Stop 6 - Stazione Centrale Stop 7 - Buenos Aires Stop 8 - Porta Venezia Stop 9 - San Babila Line C: Stop 1 - Castello Stop 2 - Triennale Stop 3 - Arco della Pace Stop 4 - City Life Stop 5 - Casa Milan Stop 6 - Mico - Congress Centre Stop 7 - Lotto -Montebianco Stop 8 - Lido Stop 9 - Ippodromo Stop 10 - Stadio San Siro Stop 11 - Lotto - Monterosa Stop 12 - Buonarroti Stop 13 - Pagano Stop 14 - Conciliazione Stop 15 - Parco Sempione Line D : Stop 1 - Castello Stop 2 - Cadorna Stop 3 – Cenacolo Stop 4 - Navigli Stop 5 – Piazza XXIV Maggio Stop 6 – Duomo Stop 7 – Monte Napoleone Stop 8 - Brera

Get acquainted with the most historically significant landmarks of Milan on this 3-hour guided walking tour. Witness the beauty of the city as your guide leads you through the city's history, culture and, traditions during an unforgettable experience. Admire the Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci, one of the most sought-after masterpieces of all time. Your guide will be sure to make the most of the 15-minutes you have inside the Refectory to bring this mural painting to life for you.  Then, move on to Sforza Castle, a Medieval stronghold surrounded by a beautiful park. Continue your tour by walking to the Scala Opera House, the all Milanese Temple of Music, and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Admire the beautiful gothic Duomo from the outside, an architectural wonder and the fifth-largest cathedral in Europe. Select the lunch option to finish off your tour with a traditional Italian meal in a nearby restaurant.

Discover the highlights of Milan on a historical walking tour that includes a skip-the-line ticket to see Da Vinci’s masterpiece "The Last Supper" together with your guide. Meet your guide by the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie to enjoy fast-track entry to the world’s most famous Renaissance mural. Viewings are strictly limited and allow up to 15 minutes to study Da Vinci’s details. Then, stroll to the Sforza Castle and its surrounding park. Built in the 14th-century by the most important families of Milan, the fortress is now home to many important exhibitions and museums. Walk along Via Dante to Piazza dei Mercanti, site of the city’s medieval market. Continue to the opulent La Scala Theater, built in 1776 in Piazza della Scala. Enter the glass-roofed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to see a miracle of 19th-century engineering. End outside the Duomo, and marvel at the façade of Milan’s most symbolic building.

Choose the Pass option which suits best your desired experience: Flash Pass (24 hours validity): - 24 hours of unlimited access to the Milan Public Transport Network. - Access to the Duomo Rooftop with stairs. - Tickets to ONE museum of choice from the following list: Sforza Castle Museums and Pietà Rondanini, Civic Aquarium, Modern Art Gallery, Archaeological Museum, Museo del Novecento, Natural History Museum, National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci, Triennale Design Museum, Galleria Campari, Museo del Teatro alla Scala, Poldi Pezzoli Museum, Bagatti Valsecchi Museum, Villa Necchi Campiglio, Ambrosiana Art Gallery and the Crypt of San Sepolcro. - Digital maps and audio guides - Discounts of up to 30% on the YesMilanoPass app Standard Pass (3 days validity): - 3 days of unlimited access to the Milan Public Transport Network. - Duomo Cathedral, museum and terrace with stairs - Tickets to ALL museums from the following list: Sforza Castle Museums and Pietà Rondanini, Civic Aquarium, Modern Art Gallery, Archaeological Museum, Museo del Novecento, Natural History Museum. - Ticket for ONE extra museum of choice from the following list: National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci, Triennale Design Museum, Galleria Campari, Museo del Teatro alla Scala, Poldi Pezzoli Museum, Bagatti Valsecchi Museum, Villa Necchi Campiglio, Ambrosiana Art Gallery and the Crypt of San Sepolcro. - Digital maps and audio guides - Discounts of up to 30% on the YesMilanoPass app All-Inclusive Pass (3 days validity): - 3 days of unlimited access to the Milan Public Transport Network. - Duomo Cathedral, museum and terrace with lift - Tickets to ALL 14 museums from the following list: Sforza Castle Museums and Pietà Rondanini, Civic Aquarium, Modern Art Gallery, Archaeological Museum, Museo del Novecento, Natural History Museum, National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci, Triennale Design Museum, Galleria Campari, Museo del Teatro alla Scala, Poldi Pezzoli Museum, Bagatti Valsecchi Museum, Villa Necchi Campiglio, Ambrosiana Art Gallery and the Crypt of San Sepolcro. Important: The pass is fully digital. Download the YesMilanoPass App on your mobile phone, login with the credentials on your voucher and schedule your visits in the app! Start your Milan adventure without any delays. All museums must be booked in the app and entrance might be subject to availability. Digital City Map with an Introductory Audio-guide: Includes commentaries for over 100 points of interest in Milan and suggested walking or bicycle itineraries. Upgrade your experience: Get exclusive discounts up to 30% only with the YesMilano Pass app Eco-Friendly Option: Choose our paperless pass to support sustainable tourism and help preserve Milan's natural beauty.

Our guided tour to the roof terraces and the Duomo is the perfect opportunity to discover Milan’s most significant monument from every point of view! The Duomo boasts over seven centuries of history. Commenced in 1386 and completed only in the 20th century, it is an unmissable stop in your Milanese staying: its imposing presence and sheer beauty are impossible to ignore. Meet in front of the Cathedral and take the lift to reach a breath-taking roof terrace of about 8,000 square meters. There, you’ll be able to admire 135 spires, pinnacles, flying buttresses and many statues. It is almost impossible to believe it, but the Duomo features about 3,400 statues! Designed and carved throughout the centuries, they portray a vast range of biblical and historical figures, gargoyles, animals, little monsters, dragons, faces, and puzzling silhouettes. And if you think that the Duomo is now complete, you’re wrong! New statues have been carved and installed in recent times to represent the city’s contemporary history. In the second part of the tour you’ll also enter into the cathedral, which is an absolute masterpiece, a stunning architecture that took centuries to complete. In 1386, the first duke of Milan, Gian Galeazzo Visconti, commissioned the construction of this cathedral upon the ruins of two previous churches, Santa Maria Maggiore and Santa Tecla. Since its inception, the cathedral was dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente and designed as gothic architecture. You’ll explore a place filled with history, art and faith, admiring fantastic stained glass, outstanding artworks, worshiped relics and unparalleled architectural solutions. Today the Duomo is the biggest church in Italy and the sixth biggest church globally. This tour is like no other. It will make you experience the Duomo deeply, taking you up to the very top and inside the cathedral.

Skip the long lines to one of the most magnificent monuments in Milan with a fast track entrance ticket to the Milan Duomo terraces. With an optional upgrade you can also enter the cathedral through an exclusive group doorway, and enjoy access to all areas of the cathedral to see masterpieces of art and architecture. Marvel at beautiful adornments and stained glass windows, and discover the former chapel of the ducal palace at the Church of St. Gottardo in Corte in the archaeological area. Learn more about the sacred monument at the fascinating museum, and ride the dedicated elevator to get panoramic views from the amazing terraces. Get a free cape-kimono required to enter the cathedral as an added bonus, and use your ticket to enjoy a 10% discount on selected merchandise at the gift shop.

Discover the history and treasures of one of the most well-known cathedrals in the world, with skip-the-ticket-line entrance to the Duomo, its archeological area and dedicated museum. Learn about the 600-year-old institution, Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo, and its ongoing conservation and development of this extraordinary patrimony of art, culture, and history that is the symbol of Milan. Follow an itinerary through the Duomo di Milano. See the ruins of the Baptistery of San Giovanni alle Fonti at the Archaeological Area. Learn about the history of the 4th-century Basilica of Saint Thecla. Enter the cathedral and find a wealth of art and faith intertwined. Trace every step of the Cathedral’s construction from the Duomo Museum to the Church of San Gottardo in Corte through sculptures, stained glass windows, wooden models, and tapestries. Remember when planning your visit that the Museum and the Church of San Gottardo are closed on Wednesdays.