DUOMO BEFORE COMO

There aren't too many edifices that I find so awe inspiring that I would want to spend hours there just bathing in its' beauty and ambiance, but I have to say that the Duomo, in Milan, has to rank right up there.  Unless you've seen it in person, no photo can do it justice.  Every square foot of the facade is covered in intricate sculpted Gothic bas reliefs.  This cathedral was built in 1386, but it took generations to complete.  The main spire was topped in 1762 and the rest of the Duomo was completed in the 1800's.  Second to the Vatican, it is known as one of the largest cathedrals in all of Europe.

Above is one of the many sculptures in the Duomo.  I really liked it because it wasn't the usual beautiful angel or cherub, but a sculpture of an imperfect human being. 

Here is a photo of the outside of the Duomo.  As you can see, it is just as decorative as the inside.  I could have spent weeks viewing this masterpiece and never have seen it all. 

Outside the Dumo is the the center of the Piazza del Duomo that leads to the main shopping concourse located in the Duomo arcade.  Here you can get Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, or any other designer product.  Happy shopping!

Here is an alcove in the Duomo with stained glass windows, gothic columns, precepts, and Roman arches.

An altar inside of the Duomo made of marble.  I lost count of the number of altars inside.

A pathway of Gothic columns seemingly reaching to the sky.

One of many beautifully crafted reliefs.

I took this photo under the archway of the front door.