Milan

Milan

On July 10th we took off from DC (Dulles) on the new A380 Airbus, after the most thorough search and frisking by security that Brad and I have ever encountered.  We landed in Paris by morning and flew on to Milan with a stunning view of the Alps as we crossed into Italy.  The flights were fabulous, with good food and lots of leg room/sleeping room, and way too many movies to watch.  I had a melt-down moment in the airport when we discovered that my luggage had not arrived.  But we regrouped and found a hotel where we could crash for couple of hours before we went sight seeing in Milan.  Taking the subway to the Duomo was an adventure, but thanks to a kind stranger, we got tickets and were headed in the right direction. It was a magical sight to come out of the subway and see the Duomo.  Jacob served his mission here in Milan, and it felt like we were walking on sacred ground. I wish he and Jenny could have been here to share it with us.  The Duomo was under scaffolding most of his mission, for cleaning- but we got to see it in all its glory- only a tiny area at the top is still covered in scaffolding. We toured inside, outside, and up on the roof.  Rick Steve's Travel guide gave us insight to tiny details in the Duomo that we would have overlooked.  It became our travel bible all through Italy.  

The Duomo

The Galleria across the square from the Duomo is full of high priced shops.  We checked out a purse for a mere 1800 Euro's

Inside the Duomo

St. Bartolomeo- sculptured by one of Leonardo da Vinci's students

St Bartolomeo was a martyr who was skinned alive by the Romans. Notice the flesh hanging off his back- a study in Anatomy, which was forbidden by the church at that time. 

Confessional- appropriate for the bishop.

Well preserved Priests...

The massive Baroque doors of the Duomo

Up on the Roof of the Duomo

The Duomo was built from 1386-1810- It started out with Gothic architecture and was finished under Napoleon, with hundreds of sculptures added over the centuries.  Final touches were put on in 1965- I am pretty sure tennis was not around in 1386, so this is a newer sculpture we found on a stairway on our way to the roof of the Duomo..  

We enjoyed dinner in Milan and a good nights sleep before we caught the train to Venice.  I was told my luggage would arrive by morning.  It didn't happen--washing underwear in the sink.