The Duomo di Milano is one of Europe’s most recognizable cathedrals, standing as a massive monument of marble and spires. This quiz looks at the incredible history and construction of Milan’s iconic landmark.
You will see questions about its Gothic style, the materials used to build it, and the centuries of work it took to complete. We also cover the statues and unique relics found inside and out.
When you are done, browse our quizzes on sacred architecture, check out other famous landmarks, or study architectural details.
In which Italian region is the Duomo di Milano located?
Veneto
Veneto
Lombardy
Lombardy
Piedmont
Piedmont
Tuscany
Tuscany
The architectural style of the Milan Cathedral is primarily characterized by which movement?
Romanesque
Romanesque
Renaissance
Renaissance
Gothic
Gothic
Baroque
Baroque
The exterior of the Milan Cathedral is famously clad in what type of stone, sourced from the quarries of Candoglia?
Limestone
Limestone
Granite
Granite
Travertine
Travertine
Marble
Marble
What is the name of the iconic gilded statue that sits atop the highest spire of the cathedral?
The Archangel Gabriel
The Archangel Gabriel
Saint Ambrose
Saint Ambrose
Saint Bartholomew
Saint Bartholomew
The Madonnina
The Madonnina
Approximately how many years did it take to complete the construction of the Milan Cathedral?
Almost 300 years
Almost 300 years
Almost 500 years
Almost 500 years
Almost 400 years
Almost 400 years
Almost 600 years
Almost 600 years
Roughly how many statues decorate the interior and exterior of the Milan Cathedral?
3,600
3,600
3,200
3,200
3,400
3,400
3,000
3,000
Who ordered the completion of the cathedral’s facade in the early 19th century while he was King of Italy?
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci
Dante Alighieri
Dante Alighieri
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus
The exterior of the cathedral is topped by how many distinct stone spires?
135
135
145
145
125
125
115
115
Which of these classic Gothic architectural elements is prominently featured on the exterior of the Milan Cathedral?
Horseshoe arches
Horseshoe arches
Onion domes
Onion domes
Flying buttresses
Flying buttresses
Doric columns
Doric columns
In what year was the final gate of the cathedral officially inaugurated, marking the final stage of the original building plan?
1975
1975
1955
1955
1965
1965
1945
1945
What is the approximate height of the gilded Madonnina statue?
4.16 meters
4.16 meters
5.16 meters
5.16 meters
4.66 meters
4.66 meters
3.66 meters
3.66 meters
Which ancient basilica previously occupied the site where the cathedral stands today?
Basilica of San Simpliciano
Basilica of San Simpliciano
Basilica of San Lorenzo
Basilica of San Lorenzo
Basilica of Santa Tecla
Basilica of Santa Tecla
Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio
Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio
The cathedral is famous for housing a reliquary containing what holy object, traditionally retrieved during the Rite of the Nivola?
The Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The sandals of Saint Peter
The sandals of Saint Peter
The Holy Nail
The Holy Nail
A thorn from the Crown of Thorns
A thorn from the Crown of Thorns
Visitors are permitted to walk on which part of the cathedral to get a close-up view of the spires and the city skyline?
The rooftop terraced path
The rooftop terraced path
The crypt entrance
The crypt entrance
The main nave’s floor
The main nave’s floor
The high altar balcony
The high altar balcony
Which ruler officially founded the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano in 1387?
Ludovico Sforza
Ludovico Sforza
Gian Galeazzo Visconti
Gian Galeazzo Visconti
Pope Julius II
Pope Julius II
Francesco Sforza
Francesco Sforza
What sacred artifact, known as the ‘Holy Nail’ (Santo Chiodo), is kept high above the altar in the cathedral?
A Roman gladiator’s sword
A Roman gladiator’s sword
A fragment of the original Roman city gate
A fragment of the original Roman city gate
An iron nail from the Crucifixion
An iron nail from the Crucifixion
A piece of the Berlin Wall
A piece of the Berlin Wall
Which French ruler ordered the completion of the cathedral’s façade in 1805?
Charlemagne
Charlemagne
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte
Louis XVI
Louis XVI
Louis XIV
Louis XIV
What traditional rule in Milan historically regulated the height of the city’s buildings?
No building could exceed the height of the Sforza Castle
No building could exceed the height of the Sforza Castle
All buildings had to be exactly the same height as the city gates
All buildings had to be exactly the same height as the city gates
Only religious structures could be taller than five stories
Only religious structures could be taller than five stories
No building could be taller than the Madonnina statue
No building could be taller than the Madonnina statue
To protect the Madonnina, what functional device was integrated into the statue?
A weather vane
A weather vane
A telescope mount
A telescope mount
A lightning rod
A lightning rod
A crane mechanism
A crane mechanism
What unusual subjects are among the thousands of statues carved into the exterior of the cathedral?
Modern sports figures, including professional boxers
Modern sports figures, including professional boxers
Famous Chinese emperors
Famous Chinese emperors
Ancient Egyptian pharaohs
Ancient Egyptian pharaohs
Mythological Greek gods
Mythological Greek gods
In which year did the construction of the Milan Cathedral begin?
1376
1376
1396
1396
1386
1386
1406
1406
Which unique feature is found on the floor of the Milan Cathedral?
A labyrinth pattern symbolizing the pilgrimage to Rome
A labyrinth pattern symbolizing the pilgrimage to Rome
A fully gold-plated mosaic of the solar system
A fully gold-plated mosaic of the solar system
A glass floor revealing an ancient Roman burial ground
A glass floor revealing an ancient Roman burial ground
A giant meridian line for astronomical observation
A giant meridian line for astronomical observation
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