The view from the Duomo

Is quite simply, utterly magnificient. I went to the Duomo yesterday, and wanted to go to the roof, but my digital camera batteries started to die, and I wanted to make sure I could take plenty of photos.

And am I glad I waited. I had thought the roof area would be small-ish, sort of like the one at Notre Dame. How wrong was I... There is much more than just a passageway around a spire. I've never been so close to so many gothic flying buttresses in my life (my old art history teacher would likely be pleased that I can remember what a flying buttress is). The views of Milan are incredible, and it is also incredible to be able to see so much of the architecture of the Duomo. It's also interesting to note that many of the gargoyles and little statuary on the spires have thin metal bits sticking up from them -- presumably to prevent birds from nesting. The spires look so delicate, as if a strong wind could break little pieces of the stonework away. Yet, the Duomo has been around for 600 or so years, if I remember correctly. I heard someone say that it was the fourth or fifth largest church in Europe.

Such grandiosity is awe-inspiring.