June 26: Traveling day from Venice To Lake Como with a stop in Milan. We said good-bye to our love affair with the city on water and headed on land to Milan. We decided to make a stop over instead of going straight through to Como to break the day up. Todd served in this city on his mission 25 years ago so we were excited for him to visit it again. Milan is the second largest city in Italy and was originally founded by Celtics; but like most Eurpoean towns, it was captured by the Romans in 222 B.C.  

This is the Duomo di Milano, the cathedral church of Milan. A gothic cathedral, The Milan Duomo is the fourth largest cathedral in the world. Built between 1386 and 1577, the Duomo holds the world's largest collection of marble statues.

The inside of The Duomo looking down the central nave.

This is the floor. Everything in this building is over the top.

This is a new addition since Todd as hear last. All along the central nave isles, there are large works of art depicting important events in church history, some appear secular, but each has a religios theme.

All along the sides are large and small stained glass windows depicting many religious stories and ideals.

This is the sarcophagus of an archbishop in the 14th century. Look at his right hand and you will find his signet ring for being an Archbishop. They have covered their faces with silver masks to show reverence for the dead I would assume. Two archbishops from this time period have been entombed this way in The Duomo.

A side chapel. With a building as vast as this, the side chapels are just as impressive as the main nave.

Todd found this guy. We don't know who he is or what he represents, but everything in here has to do with church heirarchy. He maybe a representation of a pope or cardinal.

The exterior of The Duomo appears to be made of fine lace but in fact is marble. I don't know if the pictures do it justice, but the detail could keep you staring all day. These pictures are taken from near the top. The Duomo doesn't have a bell tower; instead, you climb the building and wind around the roof until you reach the top. Every bit of this building is marble.