Author Archives: Mons. Gianantonio Borgonovo

Milan Cathedral, up close and beautiful

There is a particular shade of pink in the marble that makes Milan Cathedral unique. It is this marble, from Candoglia quarries, that inspired Milan Cathedral Remixed to take a fresh look at the iconic Duomo.

The heart of the city

The Duomo has stood in the center of Milan for 635 years — a proud spiritual and architectural reference point for a city in constant evolution. The dream of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Lord of Milan, work began in 1386, overseen by the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo, which then took care of the conservation and enhancement of the Cathedral.

Looking at the Cathedral today, it’s as though it is in dialogue with the surrounding square and the city beyond. The large stained glass windows with their finely inlaid Biblia pauperum (literally the Bible for the poor — or those who couldn’t read), heralding modern media in their use of images to represent scripture.

The power of technology

Milan Cathedral Remixed was made possible by Google Arts & Culture technology, in partnership with the Veneranda Fabbrica. This ambitious digitization project led to the capture of more than 50 stained glass windows in high resolution, bringing the Google Art Camera to a dizzying height of 30 meters. This captured the details of more than 2,000 stained glass window panels, many of which can’t be seen from ground level. With Street View, we can now see every corner of the Cathedral in 360°, from the highest peak, the Madonnina, down to the Crypt — an underground place of meditation and prayer.

Discover, learn and play with Milan Cathedral Remixed

Read the Biblical stories and find out about the Cathedral’s modern and contemporary art from the 80 narratives that link ancient with contemporary inside the Duomo.

One of these narratives, “Lux fuit” (literally, there was light) takes a close up look at the Cathedral’s windows, the stories they depict and the light flooding through.

These extraordinary stained-glass windows have aroused wonder across the centuries. Many celebratedpoets and authors have written of them, and they inspired the creation of the Google Arts & Culture Coloring Book and Puzzle Party. It is this heritage that Veneranda Fabbrica preserves for us all, and for our descendants.

Visit g.co/milancathedral or download Google Arts & Culture’s Android or iOS app to continue learning and having fun.

  • A view of the central nave and main altar. At the back, a majestic stained-glass decoration.

    The Central Nave is the solemn entrance of this gothic masterpiece. Note the astonishing marble floors and ceiling that stretches up to 45 meters.

  • A panel showing the creation of the stars and the sky, as told in the Old Testament.

    Zoom in on the panels and see the colors and extraordinary details of 38 stained-glass windows, digitized in super high-resolution with Google Art Camera.

  • On the terrace of the Cathedral rooftop, at sunset, a contemporary art exhibit contrasts with the ancient Gothic spires.

    From top to bottom, take a tour of the Cathedral up to the terraces that overlook the city center.

  • This 15th-century stained-glass depicts the Visitation, as told in the Gospel of Luke, where Mary hugs her cousin Elizabeth

    The Visitation, a 15-century hug, on one the Cathedral’s oldest stained-glass windows.

  • In a dark room of the museum, light brings to life the colors and stories of the stained-glass.

    People from all over the world can now discover details invisible to in person visitors.