The roof is open to tourists, for a fee, enjoy the spectacular views of the city and a close-up view of some spectacular sculpture. The roof of the cathedral is renowned for the forest of openwork pinnacles and spires.

Mark Twain visited Milan in the summer of 1867:
“Away above, on the lofty roof, rank on rank of carved and fretted spires spring high in the air, and through their rich tracery one sees the sky beyond”.