Which cathedral in Milan has more than 3,000 statues decorating its exterior?

Milan Cathedral has more than 3,000 statues decorating its exterior.

Known in Italian as the Duomo di Milano, the cathedral is one of the largest churches in Europe and a landmark of Italian Gothic architecture. Construction began in 1386 under Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo, and work continued for centuries.

Its marble exterior is exceptionally elaborate, with pinnacles, spires, gargoyles and thousands of sculptures. The famous total is often given as more than 3,000 statues, though published counts can vary depending on whether smaller sculptural elements are included.

The building’s central spire carries the Madonnina, a gilded copper statue of the Virgin Mary installed in 1774. Visitors can also walk across the rooftop terraces, where the forest of marble ornament is especially easy to see.