Duomo Museum, Milan

Museum in Milan

Il Grande Museo Del Duomo
CC BY-SA 3.0 / 23vita

The Duomo Museum is a quiet and almost hidden treasure that preserves the secrets of Milan’s iconic cathedral.

Situated on the ground floor of Palazzo Reale since 1953, the museum underwent extensive renovation and rebranding in 2013 to become the Grande Museo del Duomo. The museum traces the history of the cathedral’s construction from its inception in 1386 to the present day. The Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo, the institution responsible for the cathedral’s construction and ongoing maintenance, continues to oversee conservation efforts.

Within the museum, visitors can explore the Cathedral Treasury, which houses liturgical objects such as pastoral items and gospel books, alongside precious artifacts including gilded and silver statues and relics from the 4th to the 19th centuries.

The museum path also features a detailed wooden model of the Duomo, allowing visitors to appreciate the intricate craftsmanship involved in the cathedral’s construction. The Candoglia marble, used to build the Duomo, deteriorates over time due to weather exposure. Consequently, statues and decorative elements are replaced with identical copies crafted by the Veneranda Fabbrica’s stonecutters. The originals, now displayed in the museum, offer a close-up view of details that were once high on the spires and difficult to see.

A highlight of the museum is the stained-glass window room, where visitors can admire some of the Duomo’s 55 large windows. These windows, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments and the lives of Saints, are backlit to highlight their vivid colors and intricate designs.

The museum also offers a variety of activities for adults and children, including guided tours and workshops that provide an in-depth look at the Duomo’s beauty.

Tip: Visitors can enhance their experience with a virtual reality journey. By renting a viewer, you can take a digital tour of the Cava Madre, the Candoglia quarry where the Duomo’s marble is sourced. This virtual experience transports you to the Val D’Ossola, allowing you to observe the marble excavation process, the sculptors’ craftsmanship, and even walk on the suspended platform used for moving the marble, over 20 meters high.

The Duomo Museum, Milan appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Milan!

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Visiting Duomo Museum, Milan

Hours:

Mon – Tue – Thu – Fri – Sat – Sun: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Closed on Wednesdays

Last ticket at 6:00 pm. Last entry at 6:10 pm


Price:

€10 includes admission to the Duomo

Address: Museo del Duomo di Milano, Piazza del Duomo, Milan, Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy
Duration: 20 minutes

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