On the Saturday 9th Jan, I plan to visit the Milan downtown. So, took the car to the nearest Subway Station called Gobba. Driving was pleasant and signs was easy to follow, atleast on the autostrades and reach the station. Was there in less than 40min and parked the car.
Gobba, actually Cascina Gobba, is a major metro station where you have huge parking available. Most of people from North of Milano usually take the subway from here to city center.
It was a slightly foggy day. I was even worried if I would be able to see any good view of the Duomo. Anyway, hoped for the best and continued. As per forecast, it was suppose to rain in later part of the day. So, was planning to finish the rounds atleast before 2pm.
In Italy you mostly buy the public transport ticket in a book shop, bar or the Tabbachi shops. Each travel is 1 Euro which is valid for 70min from first boarding. Or you can also buy the 3 Euro ticket which allows you to take any transport for next 24 hours. You pay 5.5 Euro to get the same ticket valid for 48 Hours.
I got the 3 euro ticket and took the Green line to Loreta. From here we are suppose to change line to go to Center.
Switching to Red Line
I planned to visit Duomo, the cathedral in Milan. For this you need to take the Red line and get down at Duomo station.
The moment I came up from the station, I was surprised of the View. I am standing right in the Duomo. I was initially worried of searching or walking to the Cathedral. Never thought I will land straight in that place.
The Duomo is the in the center of Milan. All streets of milan begin from here. ANd you have 2 concentric circles around the Duomo. The circle marks the point and defined to base their congestion charges related to this. Driving inside the inner circle is more costlier than the outer one. So, you can see relatively less vehicles around the tourist spot. And its good in a way for the tourist to roam around freely.
The Duomo was started to built in 1386 and got completed around 1800. So, you can see the different cultures mixed in this architecture. It is one of the (2nd?) largest cathedral in world.
It has 135 spires and 3,400 statues on its architecture.
Duomo, The Cathedral
I see people having fun on the stairs of the station. One side of the staircase was designed in such a way that it sounds the note from Piano for each of the steps. So, people were walking and dancing on that stairs for making those sounds. Hmm, a warm welcome.
Do you notice the guy on Horse?
Then I see this guy on the horse staring at me. Ya, its the statue right in the center. I take a picture of the fellow and turn back. I see one person looking at me. For a moment, I can literally read his mind. He was also alone like me in this place and longing to pick-up some talk with other than Italian people.
I say a hi to him, we greet each other and finally seems he is from Bangladesh. Good, atleast we have someone to take a picture of ourself.
I always had this problem when going to many places. I will take all pictures of the places, but seldom will have myself in those pictures.
If you notice closely, there are statues literally everywhere in the cathedral. Right from the towers to the walls, rails of the stairs etc.
We keep clicking each others pictures and the Duomo in different angle and approach the gate. We had a security check and enter the Duomo.
More click's of the Duomo
It was really impressive. The statues are all from 15th and 16th century. One would wonder how precisely these were made in those olden days.
The window in different painting was a wonderful work. The colors used and the outside sunlight through the glass makes it look even more excellent for viewing.
Some of the interior pictures of Duomo
The grills(?) are made with stone. Looked like porcelain to me. Even on the roof of the cathedral, most of the stairs and rails are constructed using marble/granite.
Grills