The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-04-03
Correspondence of the INDEPENDENT.
MILAN CATHEDRAL.

thedral OF Milan may be or interest to
the readers of the INDEPENDENT. Its
foundation was laid by order of Wis
cont, Duke of Milan, in 1886. The
whole of this building is of fine white
marble from a quarry at Mt. Gondog
liza, some thirty miles from here, do
mated by the founder. The spot where
the cathedral stands was formerly oc-
cupied by the church of st. Marie,
erected in S36. The architecture of
the cathedral is Gothic, except the
front, which is Grecian. The shape of
the structure is Latin cross, and
comprises five naves, corresponding
with the five entrance doors. Its
length is 1856 feet; the width of the
lower end of the cross is 80 feet. The
height of the largest nave from the
floor to the arched ceiling is l64 feet;
to the vault of the cupola, 224 feet; to
the top of the exterior statue, 355 feet.
The naves are separated by 80 futed
columns, 8 feet in diameter, - feet
long The thickness of the wall is s
feet, besides interior half columns pro-
.jecting to correspond with the tiers of
columns. On the capitols of each of
the columns are eight life sized statues.
The interior of the cupola is adorned
with 60 statues, and has reliefs. On
the whole building, interior and eX-
terror, there are 1900 statues Up to
this time the structure has cost Sll0,-
100000, and is still unfinished, as far
as ornamentation is concerned. About
200 statues in relic, ornament the
front, which is surmounted by II spires
supporting colossal statues, represent
ing scriptural scenes and personages.
A stone staircase of l5S steps leads
to the marble flag roof, where perfect
forest of statues greets the eye. The
admiration of the visitor is increased
when, after ascending 5l2 steps, he
reaches the platform of the great Gu
pola. From thence the astonished eye
enjoys the most imposing view of the
whole city and the surrounding coun-
try, and the snow capped mountains in
the north. Mt Blanc, Mt. St. Bar
vara, Mt Rosa and other noted noun
tain peaks are plainly visible The
main cupola is surmounted by gigan-
tic statue of the Virgin, to whom the
church is dedicated. This lofty mar
BILE pyramid is elevated amongst 1876
lesser ones, each one adorned with %
statues, one of which forms the top.
The roof is composed of slabs of mar
ble about 4 feet square, overlapping
each other in the manner that shingles
are laid, and inclined about three
inches in twelve. Surrounding the
roof is balustrade of ornamental net
work terminating in small minuets or
towers some six or eight feet high and
four feet apart. This ornamental
work also crosses the roof lengthwise
above the pillars of the several naves,
presenting very picturesque appear
ance. Thirty-two great pilasters, each
decorated with a great number of stat
ues, surround the building
On entering the cathedral the visitor
will see forest of columns which sup
port the arches under the heavy roof
The two next to the door support a
balcony, upon the angles of which
stand the colossal statues of ST. |
Charles and st. Ambrose. These col
umns are of red polished marble in
single pieces, and are forty-two feet
high. The floor is of marble in vari-
GUS colors worked into figures and de-
signs. There are AZ painted glass win
dows, whereon innumerabls scripture