From the third level of the museum the ascent (with compulsory accompaniment) to the dome starts. The ascent takes place through medieval paths in the thickness of the masonry, spiral staircases, attics and allows continuous breathtaking views both over the city and inside the cathedral. Meeting installations by contemporary artists, one reaches the attic of the central nave with access to the loggia of the dome drum. A light show accompanies the vision of the pictorial cycle created by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri known as Guercino, between 1626 and 1627, as a continuation of the work begun by Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli known as Morazzone; Walking around the entire perimeter of the dome it becomes possible to admire the prophets David, Isaiah, Haggaeus, Hosea, Zechariah, Ezekiel, Micah, Jeremiah, the lunettes in which episodes from Jesus’ childhood – Announcement to the Shepherds, Adoration of the Shepherds, Presentation at the Temple and Flight into Egypt – and eight fascinating Sibyls.
