Of the
places we have visited, Milan is most characteristic of a modern city. It’s
also quite old, however, and the contrast between various-aged buildings stands
out, as well as the range of times, cultures, and architectural periods they
span.
The duomo, or cathedral, ranks among the oldest Milanese
structures, although some parts have been or are in the process of being
restored. The vivid colors of the intricately beautiful stained-glass windows
stand out prominently against the dark interior with its high, vaulted ceilings
and grey stone.
In going to the roof of the cathedral, we found ourselves
among the parapets, rather than in a small space above a dome, as is the case
with several others. We were, rather, next to a larger – and thus more
gently-sloped – dome. It is possible, from up there, to see through some the
shorter downspouts of the rain gutters, leading from the cornice out a few feet
away from the walls, and ceasing, in mid-air, to exist. They might be described
as decorative narrow cylindrical tunnels made of and extending through the
stone of the cathedral.
From these parapets, we could also see a clock set on top
of a nearby building. Behind this clock lie several residences and rooftop
gardens. Either that clock or another nearby - most likely both - struck the
time while we were still in the heights of the structure; either the hour or
the half hour had been reached. It is incredibly useful to have clocks in
public squares, and the bells send more wide-reaching alarms as to the time of
the day.
The number of clocks and bell towers in Italy is quite
high, owing to the high number of churches and other grand old buildings,
government and otherwise, which house them. The resulting bells are lovely and
can be heard throughout the city or town at any hour of the day. They often
ring at half and quarter hours as well. Their number is perhaps rivaled only by
the number of statues and monuments standing in Italian piazzas.
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