Strolling Around In Duomo Di Milano

There are a lot of places you can visit if you touch down in Milan, Italy. I was not able to visit many places, but I managed to visit the spiked gothic cathedral called Duomo. Its position is in the heart of Milan, which makes the Duomo the first stop when visiting the city. I missed to walk on the roof, but I could still enjoy getting around it.

Our Trenitalia reached Milano Porta Garibaldi around 7:11 AM from Roma. It took 7:56h from Roma to Milan. We had an uncomfortable night in the train because of the other passenger in our car who was going forward in and out. They even open the windows, which obviously let the wind coming and noise in our car.

Thank God nothing bad was happening during our way, and we could finally reach Milan safe and sound. We took a couple minutes for breakfast in the station while waiting someone fetch us. Italian people were nice because we were four people now, it was hard to walk around with the luggage, the host from our Airbnb offered us to let him take the luggage first, so we could hang around the city. Around 8 AM, we were ready to go to the Duomo.

Take in the view from around the Duomo

It took 500 years in the making, the Duomo has been compared to a wedding cake. Its imposing interior contains some magnificent treasures, but for a truly breathtaking experience, climbing the 150 steps (or take the lift) to the roof.  I was lack of time when I visited the Duomo, so I did not get the chance to take in the view from Duomo roof. Lucky me, there was a short theatrical show right in front of it.

I have always loved a theatrical show, so I considered myself lucky to witness this show. I do not really understand what they were saying in Italian, but the body language had delivered it well to make the audience understand.

What is around the Duomo?

Across the Duomo, you can see the Monument to King Victor Emmanuel II and the Palazzo Carminati behind it. On the left and right side, there were the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arcade (built in 1864-1867) and the two “Palazzi dei Portici” (“Portico Palaces”).

The Royal Palace of Milan was the seat of government of the Italian city of Milan for many centuries, but today is an important cultural center, home to expositions and exhibitions. The palace is located to the right of the facade of the cathedral in the opposite position with respect to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The facade of the building, following the line of the ancient courtyard, forming a recess with respect to Piazza del Duomo, known as the Piazzetta Reale in English means Small Royal Square.

As for Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is famous for home to some of the oldest shops, restaurants, cafés, jewelry, books, paintings, and bars. There was a story about how McDonald’s opens its restaurant after being replaced with the gallery’s second Prada store. There was a long story I even lazy to type it here LOL. Anyway, McDonald’s was finally receiving the opportunity to open a new restaurant in a nearby area. Do not worry! Its coffee was as good as the other Italian coffee shop.

Let’s have fun with the pigeons

I did not intentionally take these photos though. I figured it out when I was choosing photos for this blog post. Among those photos I captured randomly around the Duomo, there were quite interesting photos that I decided to add here.

HOURS AND ADMISSION
CATHEDRAL Daily 8 AM - 7 PM
CRYPT OF ST. CHARLES (inside the Cathedral)
Mon - Sat: 11.00 AM – 5.30 PM; Sun: 1.30 PM – 3.30 PM
DUOMO MUSEUM & SAN GOTTARDO CHURCH Tue - Sun 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM 

Ticket: 3€ - 2€ *
Ticket inc. Admission to the Cathedral, Duomo Museum and San Gottardo in Corte Church

TERRACES Daily 9.00 AM -7.00 PM
Ticket 9€  - 4,50€ * (on foot); 13€ - 7€ * (by lift)

ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREA** Daily 9.00 AM -7.00 PM
Ticket 7€ - 3€ ** (max capacity 50 persons) 
Ticket inc. Admission to the Cathedral, Duomo Museum, San Gottardo in Corte Church and Archaeological Area.

There are also DUOMO passes:
DUOMO Pass A  16€ - 8€*
DUOMO Pass B  12€ - 6€*

HOW TO GET THERE
By train
The Duomo stop is served by the red line (M1) & the yellow line (M3).
From the Central Station, take the Yellow Underground (M3) line and get off at Duomo. 
From Cadorna Station, take the Red Underground (M1) line and get off at Duomo. 
From Garibaldi Station, take the Green Underground (M2) line, change at Cadorna to the red line (M1) and get off at Duomo.

By tram
The lines that go to piazza Duomo are:
* Piazza Fontana stop, tram 15
* Via Torino stop, tram 2 and 14
* Via Mazzini stop, tram 16, 24 and 27

TIPS:
You can not enter the Cathedral with helmets, glass objects, and luggage, so do not bring big bags. Do not forget to empty the pockets of metal objects.
If someone approaches you to give a bracelet strap, do not take it. They will say that they give it to you, but once you take it, they will ask you to pay later. (Usually the men who hold many bracelet straps or selling selfie stick)
Keep an eye on your belonging.