On our last day in Milan we have planned to focus on the Duomo and surrounding area. We plan to buy a combined ticket for the Dom and a few other attractions and then visit them throughout the day. As such it makes sense for us to exit at the Duomo for the first time in the morning. It is a different view than the one we are used to as the sun is hitting the Dom from a different side, it is certainly more beautiful in the evening at least to us.
But before buying the ticket we want to visit something else, an ossuary that is at a nearby church. We found about it online and it seems like an interesting place to see and it is within walking distance so why not? And at least we get an opportunity to see the whole Dom from the outside.
We pass an ornate palace that is actually a police station and arrive at Basilica di Santo Stefano Maggiore. Which is not really our goal, our goal is the nearby much smaller Santuario di San Bernardino alle Ossa.
Surprisingly there is a person requesting one euro to enter and we decide to do that as we are curious how the ossuary looks. And it is quite impressive and as a bonus you are allowed to take photos. It is just one room but what a room – filled with skulls and bones all arranged as crosses and decorations.
There is also a small altar here and the only other visitor inside is praying at it. We try to be as respectful as possible while taking photos and soon decide to move on.
The small church that hold the ossuary is also interesting enough and it can be entered without paying a fee. We spend a bit to explore it before exiting and deciding the enter also the larger basilica next door.
The basilica is one of the larger churches in Milan and has a claim to fame based on the fact that Duke Sforza was killed in front of the church on the patio by some conspirators. Inside there are almost no people so we take our time to explore.
It is a beautiful church but we have a few more to visit today so after exploring all the nooks and crannies it is time to exit and return to the Dom to buy our tickets.
