Milano Duomo Rooftop

Posted by callmevid on 03/24/24 10:25 PM

I want to purchase terrace tickets to take the lift to the Milano Duomo Rooftop. My Mom is 78 and she has bad knees. She can climb some steps without a problem but going down steps is not feasible for her unless there aren't too many or they're not steep where she can take her time. I've read that even if you take the lift to the rooftop, there is no lift option to go back down and you have to walk down many steps.

Around how many steps on the way down and more importantly, how steep are they? I really don't want my sweet Mom to miss out on seeing the spectacular rooftop but she would be in a world of pain if it's beyond her knees' abilities. I would appreciate feedback before I decide to buy one ticket for myself or two including her.

Also, I read that the inside of this church, while beautiful, is not unique from other churches in Italy, and if we're short on time that it's fine to skip it. What are your thoughts?

Thank you!

Posted by Pam

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA

03/24/24 10:49 PM

13943 posts

I just posted this to another question about the Duomo rooftop.

I am slightly younger than your Mom "AND a height chicken. I was determined to go to the roof of the Duomo. The elevator only gets you so far. You then walk around the roof and ascend another longish staircase (maybe 30 steps?) that has stone tracery on one side to the highest point of the roof's access. It is flattish once you get up there but the stairs were worrisome for me. Coming back down I tried to time it so I could walk down behind some other folks so I did not have to look out to the front piazza. There was a rail on the left side going up and down.

The stairs to descend from the lower roof level are new-ish and in an enclosed stairwell. There is a railing and landings at every floor so you can either rest or step aside so the faster folks can go by you. I did not find these hard at all but my height fear was not in play here, lol."

Honestly, if your Mom has trouble with going down stairs I would not do the rooftop for her. While it was very cool up there I have no knee issues...just height chicken issues!!....but if I did have knee issues it would not have been worth it to me. I particularly wanted to go up because a great-great grandfather came from North of Milano and the "family story" was that he went to the "big church in Milan" for services. Just felt it was a teeny pilgrimage for me.

I would also not want to go up there if it had rained....probably a bit slippery.

Posted by callmevid OP

03/24/24 11:01 PM

4 posts

Thanks, Pam.

Based on your feedback, I think it's best if I just buy the rooftop for myself and a ticket for her to see just the inside of the Milano Duomo.

What did you think about the inside of the church? I read it's not unique among the countless other churches in Italy. Even so, I will probably get her the ticket since she has to wait for me anyway to do the climb to the terrace.

Thanks again!

Posted by Marco

Miami

03/24/24 11:51 PM

232 posts

What did you think about the inside of the church?

I don’t think the inside is that great. I like visiting churches and museums multiple times but if I ever return to Milan, I would not go inside again.

The facade is spectacular, try to see it at different times of the day.

Posted by Suki

03/25/24 12:41 AM

11159 posts

The Duomo is more about the exterior than the interior. But since she will be waiting for you, buy her a ticket to enter.

Posted by Trotter

03/25/24 01:16 AM

1367 posts

I was there last September with a a 65 year old friend who was going to have a knee replacement upon her return home. There is an elevator to go down from the Duomo's roof and it's no big deal to ask to use it. It's located just before you get to the stairs to go down. You just tell the guard that Madam is 78 and has bad knees and needs the lift. The guard may even ask if you want to go down with her.

Edit to add: My friend was wearing a knee brace so I suppose that added verisimilitude to our claim.