The Legend of The Madonnina

Nothing in Milan stands higher than the Madonnina...even if she has to move...

By tradition, no building in the city can stand higher than the Madonnina, the gold statue erected on top of the Duomo in 1774.

When the Pirelli Tower was being built in the 50s, at a height of 127.1m (higher than the Duomo spire), a replica of the Madonnina was placed atop the tower, so the Madonnina would remain the highest point in Milan.

In 2010, the record of 'tallest building' was broken and another replica was placed on the top of Palazzo Lombardia, at a height of 161m.

In 2015, she moved once again, this time atop the Allianz Tower, so that even today, she still watches over Milan from the highest rooftop in the city, at 209 m (686 ft).