Milan Duomo facts at a glance
The Duomo di Milano is about 158 m long and 93 m wide, with an interior floor area of 11,700 m². The top of the Madonnina stands about 108 m above the ground. Building started in 1386, and the cathedral still has restoration work going on today.
Where two figures are in common use, this page gives both. For the story behind the numbers, read the history of Milan Cathedral and the notes on its architecture.
Size and numbers
The main measurements and counts.
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Exterior length | 157 to 158.5 m |
| Exterior width | 93 m |
| Interior floor area | 11,700 m² |
| Height to the tip of the Madonnina | About 108 m (107.7 to 108.5 m) |
| Height of the Madonnina | About 4.16 m |
| Spires | 135 |
| Statues | About 3,200 to over 3,400 |
| Gargoyles | 150, plus 96 giants |
| Stained glass windows | 55, with more than 3,600 figures |
| Aisles | 5 |
| Terrace levels | About 31 m and 45 m |
| Central terrace area | About 1,530 m² |
| Steps to the roof | 251 (the lift reaches the first level only) |
Lengths and heights change slightly with the line along which they are measured. Other measuring lines give a nave width of 57.673 m, a length from the main portal to the choir of 148.110 m and transept arms of 77 m. These are different lines from the outside dimensions, so do not subtract one from the other.
Our pick: the whole complex
Our take: cathedral, terraces, museum and San Gottardo in one guided visit.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Milan Duomo tours and rooftop tickets
See the spires and statues up close with a guided visit or a rooftop ticket, with live prices and availability.
The Madonnina
The golden statue on the main spire.
The Madonnina is made of gilded copper sheets, not of solid gold. It was put in place at the end of 1774 and is about 4.16 m tall. The spire beneath it was built from 1765 to around 1770.
It is far higher than the terraces and is not a viewpoint. You see it from the piazza and from the roof.
Key dates
The years visitors ask about most.
1386
Construction begins. The following year, 1387, the Fabbrica is founded on the initiative of Gian Galeazzo Visconti. It is the body that still looks after the cathedral.
1418
Pope Martin V consecrates the high altar. This is not the completion of the whole church.
1774
The Madonnina is placed on the main spire.
1807 to 1813
Work on the facade under Napoleon, linked to his coronation as King of Italy.
1943
Bombs damage spires, northern buttresses, apse windows and facade portals. Repairs follow after the war.
1965
The fifth door by Luciano Minguzzi is inaugurated, the last of the facade doors made between 1909 and 1965. Restoration work still continues, including the tiburio and the dome.
Facts for your visit
The numbers that matter on the day, with 2026 tariffs.
- The cathedral, terraces and archaeological area open daily from 09:00 to 19:00, with last entry at 18:00. The Duomo Museum and San Gottardo open 10:00 to 19:00 and are closed on Wednesday.
- Cathedral, museum and San Gottardo cost €10 for adults and €5 reduced. Rooftop only costs €16 by stairs and €18 by lift. See Duomo di Milano tickets.
- Children up to 5 years are free. Children aged 6 to 18 pay the reduced rate with proof.
- The cathedral stays a working church, with its own entrance for prayer and services.
For hours in detail, see Milan Duomo opening hours. If you have more days in the region, things to do near the Duomo cover the old centre, and day trips from Milan cover the rest of Lombardy.
Milan Duomo facts: frequently asked questions
How tall is the Milan Duomo?
About 108 m to the tip of the Madonnina. Measurements range from 107.7 m to 108.5 m depending on the line used.
How many spires does the Duomo have?
135 spires. The main one, built in the late 1760s, carries the Madonnina.
How many statues are there?
More than 3,400 statues are counted on the building. Allow for a range of roughly 3,200 to 3,400, depending on how they are counted.
Is the Madonnina made of gold?
No. It is gilded copper sheet. It was placed on the spire at the end of 1774 and is about 4.16 m tall.
When did construction start?
In 1386. The Fabbrica was founded in October 1387, and the building grew over several centuries.
Can you go up to the Madonnina?
No. The terraces are much lower, at about 31 m and 45 m. The Madonnina is seen from below or from the roof.