Day 5.Milan: Inside the Duomo and the Rinascente department store.

Last night, one of our group made the valiant effort to battle the internet and book our tour of the Duomo.

Full of confidence that we did not have to queue and were terribly terribly organised, unlike all the other saps out there, we rocked up as per instructed, to utter chaos.  First of all we were issued a ticket and ushered away to the shop area.  Then, when we queried this, we were told that we needed to get our names crossed off.  Then, our names weren’t on the list.  A lot of muttering went on and the girl kept staring at the list as if she hoped that our names would magically appear.  After that, there was a feverish search of her computer where she found our booking. Next, she disappeared to print our tickets and issue us with our bits and pieces.  By the time we reached the tour leader he was over the introduction and setting off.  He was a bit irritated by our tardiness, but we held our tongues and smiled sweetly.

The history of the development of the cathedral was interesting, as it evolved from Roman times to the present time.  This means that there are a lot of oddly disparate elements amongst the statues:

 

 

 

 

The stained glass windows are very striking, but again very varied in style.

 

And the vast and airy spaces are quite impressive.

 

 

 

 

 as is the marble floor.

 

Underneath the Cathedral are the remains of the original baptisimal pool which was discovered when the Metro was being built.  The description of the early rites of Catholicism was very interesting, but assumed the hearer was not only Christian, but a Catholic.  I think many listeners would have been totally confused.

 

 Two of our party are terrified of heights, so our ascent to the terraces was viewed with some trepidation, but they did survive the experience.  Unlike some churches I have ascended, this one is relatively safe feeling, although Bob thought the floor swayed a lot!  Seeing the ornamental details close up made us aware of just how many artisans were used in its completion.  I can't see anyone today planning a building which would not be completed for several centuries and involve hundreds of artists!

 

 

 

Equally informative was the view over the city, which reveals quite a mixture of architecture - not all of it attractive.

 

After this tour, we retired to the Rinascente Department store for lunch on the roof with views of the cathedral.  We avoided buying anything.  Sorry grandchildren, to windcheaters for 300 E, no designer shoes or outfits either.

 

 

And, I bought my daughters no designer shoes

 

or chocolate shoes

 

or lollyroses.

 

 

 

I am so mean!