It is the largest church in Italy, one of the largest in the world. The construction of the Milan Cathedral, or Duomo di Milan, began in 1386 and lasted almost six centuries. What makes the building unique are the countless stone statues. For all the architects of this cathedral, it was the highest element of the whole design. Inside, the columns are decorated with hundreds of statues, but many more can be seen on the façade and on top of the spiers. There are almost 4000 of them in total and they really make the Domo an incredible monument.
Even Napoleon Bonaparte contributed to the construction of the cathedral in Milan. He wanted the façade to be completed before his coronation. It was here in Milan Cathedral that he was crowned King of Italy in 1805.
Of the many sculptures in Duomo di Milano, one stands out in particular. It is a statue of "St. Bartholomew flayed", made by the sculptor Marco d'Agrate in 1562. The artist depicted one of Christ’s twelve apostles. St. Bartholomew was flayed alive for his Christian faith, and the artist depicted this event in a very unusual way. The saint's own skin is removed from his body and hangs around his shoulders.
