High above Milan, a golden beacon shines. This is the Madonnina, the statue atop Milan Cathedral’s highest spire. She watches over the city, a silent guardian for centuries. The Madonnina isn’t just a statue. She’s the heart and soul of Milan.
The Madonnina has quite a history. A drawing from 1521 hints at her existence, showing a spire topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary. The official story begins in 1762 when architect Francesco Croce was tasked with building the Great Spire. He proposed crowning it with a statue of the Virgin ascending to heaven, guided by angels. Sculptor Giuseppe Perego crafted the statue, presenting three designs in 1769. The final version, chosen for its beauty and symbolism, was a masterpiece of gilded copper.
Creating the Madonnina was a collaborative effort. Giuseppe Antignati carved the counterform, Varino forged the supporting structure, and Giuseppe Bini hammered the copper plates onto a wooden model. Over 150 booklets of pure gold leaf, advised by painter Anton Raphael Mengs, gave the Madonnina her radiant glow. Completed in 1773, the Madonnina wasn’t placed on the spire right away. Fears of wind and lightning kept her safe within the Veneranda Fabbrica until December 1774.
The Madonnina has seen Milan through thick and thin. In 1939, as World War II loomed, she was cloaked in grey-green cloth to protect her from bombings. She remained hidden for five years, a symbol of the city’s resilience during wartime. Her unveiling in 1945, presided over by Cardinal Schuster, was a joyous occasion, marking Milan’s liberation. The Madonnina underwent significant restoration in 1967. The copper sheets were removed and re-gilded, and the corroded iron core was replaced with stainless steel. The last re-gilding took place in 2012, restoring her brilliance for generations to come. The Madonnina is more than just a religious symbol. She’s a civic emblem, recalling the “Five Days” of 1848 when the Italian tricolor was raised on her halberd to signal the Austrian retreat. Even today, the flag flies on her right side during important events. The Madonnina stands 4.16 meters tall, covered in 33 copper plates weighing almost 400 kilograms. Her stainless-steel support weighs over 580 kilograms, a testament to her strength and endurance. She’s a symbol of Milan’s artistic and spiritual heritage, watching over the city with grace and unwavering devotion.