Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
Encyclopedia
The Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano ("Venerable Factory of the Duomo of Milan") is a 600 years old organization that was established to supervise the construction of the Cathedral of Milan (the "Duomo"). The organization is still active and involved with the maintenance, preservation, and restoration of the cathedral. Its main headquarters are located in the eponymous palace in Piazza del Duomo
. Despite the Duomo being a consecrated Roman Catholic church, the Venerable Factory is completely independent of the Holy Seat.
The Fabbrica was created in 1387 by the governor of Milan Gian Galeazzo Visconti
. At the time, the construction of the Duomo had already begun, and was supervised by Superstantia di Santa Maria Maggiore, a similar organization established by archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo, which was then replaced by the Fabbrica. The Fabbrica was responsible for a major change in the plans for the Duomo, including the adoption of the new Gothic
style that was then becoming popular all over Europe
(especially France
).
The original administrative board of the Fabbrica included all of the most notable Milaese authorities of the time, including the Duke of Milan, much of the local aristocracy, and the archbishop. This was later reduced to 7 members during the Austria
n rule of Milan. Today, the board has six members and a president.
Over the centuries, artists and workers from the Fabbrica del Duomo have collaborated with other notable architectural projects in the city; for example, sculptors of the Fabbrica have been involved with the decoration of the facades of Palazzo Marino
(Milan's city hall
).
Piazza del Duomo, Milan
Piazza del Duomo is the main piazza of Milan, Italy. It is named after, and dominated by, the Milan Cathedral . The piazza marks the center of the city, both in a geographic sense and because of its importance from an artistic, cultural, and social point of view...
. Despite the Duomo being a consecrated Roman Catholic church, the Venerable Factory is completely independent of the Holy Seat.
The Fabbrica was created in 1387 by the governor of Milan Gian Galeazzo Visconti
Gian Galeazzo Visconti
Gian Galeazzo Visconti , son of Galeazzo II Visconti and Bianca of Savoy, was the first Duke of Milan and ruled the late-medieval city just before the dawn of the Renaissance...
. At the time, the construction of the Duomo had already begun, and was supervised by Superstantia di Santa Maria Maggiore, a similar organization established by archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo, which was then replaced by the Fabbrica. The Fabbrica was responsible for a major change in the plans for the Duomo, including the adoption of the new Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
style that was then becoming popular all over Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
(especially France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
).
The original administrative board of the Fabbrica included all of the most notable Milaese authorities of the time, including the Duke of Milan, much of the local aristocracy, and the archbishop. This was later reduced to 7 members during the Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n rule of Milan. Today, the board has six members and a president.
Over the centuries, artists and workers from the Fabbrica del Duomo have collaborated with other notable architectural projects in the city; for example, sculptors of the Fabbrica have been involved with the decoration of the facades of Palazzo Marino
Palazzo Marino
Palazzo Marino is a 16th century palace located in Piazza della Scala, in the centre of Milan, Italy. It is Milan's city hall since 9 September 1861. It borders on Piazza San Fedele, Piazza della Scala, Via Case Rotte and Via Tommaso Marino....
(Milan's city hall
City hall
In local government, a city hall, town hall or a municipal building or civic centre, is the chief administrative building of a city...
).