Ciao Milano! Part Due!

 This may sound strange, and probably the wrong way round, but I never sleep very well the first night when we are away somewhere. Its almost like I can't sleep because I don't want to miss seeing anything! I know for most people its the other way round, you can't sleep the night before you go on holiday for excitement. Aren't we all strange creatures? I went with James, and he always seems to sleep well, no matter what night it is!

Our first stop was back to the Cathedral to see more of this impressive building, and its just as notable in the daylight. The cathedral is a large complex, broken down into several different key areas. There are multiple (And I mean Multiple) variations of tickets available for the site, I would highly recommend checking the website (www.duomomilano.it) before to work out which ticket would be best for you. We ended up picking the Culture pass for two reasons, first of all parts of the cathedral (terraces & Crypt) were closed for conservation, and secondly because it seemed better suited to us. Our ticket was 14 euros a piece. Ill go through step by step what was on offer there.

First up was the cathedral, which on it own was worth the ticket price. I'll start of by saying, its surprisingly cold feeling inside, and I don't mean temperature wise. I'm not sure if it was the colour of the stone, or having a lot of the sculptures up high looking down on you, made it feel a little detached. It made sense having them up high, after all, they are angels looking down on you, judging you for your sins. (Don't worry, I was looking back at them, judging them for theirs!) But once I got past that, I was enthralled by it. The way it is designed, it keeps you looking  upwards, and it's beutifully lit inside too, which really highlights the artistic and architectural elements.

Underneath, you can explore the remains of what came before the Cathedral, with the foundations and floors of pervious churches and ecclesiastical buildings. There was both a summer and winter basilicas, and a beautifully preserved baptistery in the middle.

The museum contains some brilliant pieces, both in terms of models of the cathedral in wood, to some of the statues that have since been replaced and kept for preservation, including this rather chilling one of these angels, waiting for you to discuss all with them. The close up details are simply perfection.

And as you exit the complex, you come through the San Gottardo in Corte church, with its plainer but no less lovely marble floors and salmon pink walls, and cutsey octagon shape.

And don't forget to see the Madonnina as you pass through the cathedral complex. While this one is just a copy, you get to see it up close and the details, in particular the crown/halo of stars. The original sits atop the main spire of the cathedral, and the sun shines off the statue, giving you a great focal point. (That is, when the sun shines. As you can see, it was a rather cloudy and gloomy day!). Fun fact for you, the Madonnina statue has 6,750 sheets of gold on it. If anyone wishes to cover me in sheets of gold, I am only happy to partake, drop me a message!