The Madonnina of the Milan Cathedral: history and beauty

The Madonna it is located on the highest end of the Duomo. The symbolic statue that watches over Milan. How many know its history? The sculpture is found to have its arms open to implore a divine blessing towards the city.

The Madonnina was made in gilded copper by the famous sculptor Giuseppe Perego and is more than 4 meters high. The statue is located above the major spire of the Cathedral of Milano from 30 October 1774 and is visible from almost the whole city. The sculpture, between 1939 and 1945, was covered to avoid providing an easy target for Allied fighter bombers.

In 1945 the archbishop of the city celebrated the rite, finally discovering the Madonnina. In the 70s there was the first restoration due to bad weather and the passing of the years which involved the entire decomposition of the copper plates. In 2012, simultaneously with the restoration of the main spire of the Cathedral, there was the last restoration of the sacred statue.

What importance does the Madonna have for the Lombard city?

The Madonnina is a real one landmark for the city. In fact, it represents the art and civic sense of the Lombard city ever since, during the five days of Milan, two patriots raised the Tricolor flag against the Austrian occupation of the city on the statue. Was a symbol that with its simple waving heartened the whole city and awakened the pride in the fighters of the barricades leading them to victory.

Few people know that the Madonna has aconcrete usefulness to protect the Milanese. In fact, the spear he holds in his hand is a real lightning rod, fully functional, which defends the Duomo in case of bad weather. The Madonna is an example of the value that sacred statues represent for the church and for the faithful. The meaning of these sacred symbols is very strong. It is as if their presence in the churches were able to accompany prayer in a deeper way and guide us on the path that leads to entrusting ourselves completely to God.