Milan's Duomo becomes first Italian monument to display visitor numbers in real time

Technology will improve visitors' experience

You can now you can find out when the best time to visit the Milan Cathedral.

The Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo, the institution that manages the famous Milanese monument, can now continuously monitor visitor numbers and waiting times inside the cathedral, on the panoramic terraces, and at the ticket office. 

Thanks to technology developed by the French company Affluences, this data is collected in real time and then simultaneously displayed on-site and online. 

The Duomo thus becomes the first Italian monument to publicly communicate its instantaneous visitor numbers, allowing visitors to plan their visit for the most opportune times.

The solution deployed by Affluences relies on 3D counters and AI-powered computer vision counters that analyse entries and exits and provide a precise measurement of visitor flow. 

Around ten counters cover the ticket office, the cathedral, and the Duomo terraces. 

This information on visitor numbers is accessible to visitors through several channels, both physical and digital. 

This transparency allows them to choose the best time to visit and, when possible, to purchase their tickets online to avoid queues. The goal is to make the experience smoother and more enjoyable, reducing the frustrations associated with waiting and overcrowding.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy for the intelligent management of tourist flows. 

The data collected allows the Veneranda Fabbrica to anticipate peak visitor numbers and adapt its operational teams on the ground accordingly. 

Beyond improving visitor comfort, the goal is also to protect the monument itself from the potentially damaging effects of uncontrolled overcrowding. 

“Preserving the Duomo also means better welcoming those who visit it,” explains Valentina Gallazzi, head of visitor services at the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano. 

“Thanks to this collaboration, we can anticipate visitor flows and offer a smoother experience that respects both visitors and the site.”

Affluences, a company founded in France in 2014, already works with nearly 1,000 cultural and tourist institutions, including museums, natural sites, monuments, and universities. 

Its technology measures visitor flow in real time and provides predictive analysis. 

“Collaborating with the Duomo of Milan, a universal symbol of heritage, is a source of immense pride for us,” said Paul Bouzol, CEO of Affluences. 

“Together, we are demonstrating that technology can support a more sustainable vision of tourism, centered on visitor comfort and the protection of sites.”

The team from Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano and Affluences will present this device as part of Museum Connections in Paris.