The cathedral church of Milan, Lombardy, Italy, is known as the Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Nativity of Saint Mary. It is the residence of the Milanese Archbishop, who is now Archbishop Mario Delpini, and is devoted to the Nativity of St. Mary.

Construction on the cathedral started in 1386 and was finished in 1965, a period of nearly six centuries. It is the largest church in the Italian Republic, possibly the second largest in Europe, and third largest in the entire globe.

Five large aisles go from the entrance to the altar inside the spacious interior, which can accommodate 40,000 people. The nave is dominated by large stone pillars. A significant amount of statuary—3,159 images, 2,245 of which are on the exterior—is housed within the walls and niches. On top of the tallest spire, which is coated in 3,900 pieces of gold leaf, is the Madonnina (Little Madonna), the most well-known effigy of the cathedral. Another nail purported to have been used in Jesus Christ’s crucifixion is kept at Milan Cathedral.

The first design for a Gothic cathedral in Milan with a cruciform nave and transept was commissioned in 1386 by Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo on a former Roman position, which is so central that all of Milan’s major streets radiate from it. Due to the building of this structure, High Gothic could be imported into mainland Italy from northern Europe and over the Alps. Lack of resources and innovative ideas caused progress to be irregular during the following 500 years.

Amazon Quiz: This is the flag of which country?

Amazon Quiz: Founded by the organization ‘Big Cat Rescue’, 10th August is celebrated as what day?

Amazon Quiz: Secret is a newly announced web series that will star Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury…

Amazon Quiz: Avinash Sable set a new national record as he won silver in which event at the recently…?