In solidarity with my fellow Italians, I thought it appropriate to write about a phenomenal example of man’s resilience and perseverance to achieve an insurmountable goal. The magnificent Duomo of Milan took almost 600 years to complete, during this time the cathedral morphed through the hands of approximately 78 documented architects. Amazingly enough, in order to bring the cathedrals beautiful pink marble from 90km’s away the architects dug water canals, the navigli, so that they could boat the massive blocks to the building site.
The completed cathedral, which stands proud in the centre of the city, boasts a record holding 3400 statues, the most important of which is a golden Madonna on the tallest spire. Locals believe that she will look out over the city and protect them… and actually she does, as her brass spear is a lightning conductor!
