Behind the imposing beauty of Milan’s Duomo lies a story of vision, ambition, and tireless dedication.
It was Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Lord of Milan, who dreamed of a cathedral that would reflect both the grandeur of his era and the city’s deep spirituality. Not just any building, but a masterpiece carved entirely from the pure white marble of the Candoglia quarries, located between Lake Maggiore and Mergozzo.
That marble, painstakingly extracted from the mountains, was ingeniously transported along a complex network of waterways — from the quarries to the lake, then down the Ticino River and through the Naviglio canal, until it finally reached the heart of Milan. Each block bore the inscription A.U.F. – Ad Usum Fabricae, a mark indicating its sacred purpose: to become part of the great cathedral itself.
At Sublime Lakes, we went straight to the source — to the very quarries that, for centuries, fed the walls of Milan’s Duomo with tireless activity and quiet devotion.
Just beyond the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Guardia, rising majestically as if guarding the mountains, the quarries reveal themselves — awe-inspiring and almost haunting. Here, among silence and light, the stone still holds its great secret, kept with timeless discretion.
We meet Stefano, the owner of the Ornavasso quarries, whose family has preserved this heritage for four generations. During the time of the Duomo’s construction, his ancestors worked side by side with the Candoglia quarries, just across the valley, supplying the same luminous marble that continues to grace Milan’s cathedral today.
Stefano is a captivating presence — a man who carries within him the weight of knowledge, the reverence for the mountain, and the pride of a legacy that unites history, craftsmanship, and enduring beauty.
Inside the Ornavasso Quarries: An Experience of the Sublime
We step in with Stefano as he recounts the story of his family: generations of hard work and vision, illuminating the quarries to highlight their natural beauty and unique character.
As we enter, a surge of brilliance and a roar of awe envelops us. Calling it simply “spectacular” would be an understatement — these quarries embody the grandeur of nature, the craftsmanship of centuries of production, and a true experience of the sublime.
The staircases, flanked by walls of marble, carve their way into the mountain, leading us to higher levels where yet another marvel awaits: a soaring hall entirely sculpted in marble, with acoustics so perfect that any instrument played within it resonates with a haunting echo.
It is something beyond imagination — an experience that can only be truly understood by those who witness it firsthand.
