Perspective sketch of the Candoglia marble quarry (1836) by Ambrogio NavaVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
There is a hidden cavern, surrounded by green woodland, where everything began.
Upstream from the hamlet of Candoglia, at the entrance to the Ossola Valley, are the wellsprings of Milan Cathedral, near the banks of the river Toce.
The main Candoglia Quarry (2017)Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
In 1387, Gian Galeazzo Visconti granted the Veneranda Fabbrica exclusive rights to excavate the marble and serizzo granite in his family's possession. Candoglia became a crossroads of men and work.
Internal view of the main Candoglia Quarry (1951)Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
Ever since then, the valuable deposit has supplied the marble required for the construction of Milan Cathedral Church; it is a stone characterized by a very unique range of colors.
Clocks of Candoglia marbleVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
Blocks originating from Candoglia display astonishing white and pinkish grey shades, awaiting the skilled hands of decorative sculptors.
Shot of the Cornovo Quarry (1955)Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
We see within this image of the time how the excavation and cutting of marble was made possible until the 1950s, thanks to the insertion of twisted wire, replaced today by diamond-coated wire.
The mountain has borne fruit, and this continues to the present day.
Design of Candoglia marble blocks (1831)Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
This 1831 document opens a curious window onto the century-old history of work within the quarry and tells us about the virtuous Candoglia marble industry.
The sketches of squared and sectioned blocks are accompanied by curious indications: the type of element to be created, for example, which was to enhance the cathedral's vast decorative scheme.
The pyramid, a decorative motif unique to the Monument...
... or gabions, i.e., stone canopies that enrich the cathedral's decoration.
The red dots indicate the break lines within the stone that workmen had to follow with a handsaw.
We also see among these papers the names of those in charge: Cattò and Bottinelli.
Read more on Milan Cathedral Remixed.
