The Rite of the Nivola in Milan Cathedral: Faith, Tradition, and a Unique Photographic Experience

Milano, September 14–15, 2025 – Yesterday, at the very heart of the city, the Cathedral of Milan became the stage for a sacred and spectacular celebration: the Triduum of the Holy Nail, with the solemn Rite of the Nivola, held on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

A centuries-old tradition rich in symbolism, it offered moments of devotion, culture, and beauty — and for photography enthusiasts, it was a breathtaking opportunity to capture the interplay of faith, history, light, and architecture.

What is the Nivola and what happened yesterday?

• The Nivola is a historical liturgical machine: a sort of decorated lift in the shape of a cloud (hence the name “nivola” in Milanese dialect), used to reach the tabernacle where the Holy Nail, a relic of Christ’s Passion, is kept. It is located some 40 meters above the main altar, inside the vault of the Cathedral’s apse.

• During Vespers, the Archbishop ascended in the Nivola to solemnly retrieve the reliquary. The Nail was then displayed in a large gilded wooden cross for the faithful gathered below.

• Inside the Duomo, the atmosphere was filled with awe and reverence: the anticipation of the crowd, the shifting light in the vast naves, and the solemn ascent of the Nivola created a unique moment of spiritual and visual intensity.

Cultural and spiritual value

This rite is more than a simple tradition; it embodies several layers of meaning:

1. Faith and devotion – The Holy Nail recalls the mystery of the Cross and Christ’s sacrifice, a symbol of reconciliation and reflection.

2. Historical continuity – The Rite dates back to the late 16th century, introduced by Saint Charles Borromeo, linking people, Church, and relic through a dramatic and participatory gesture.

3. Art and sacred scenography – The Nivola itself is a masterpiece: originally painted canvas, statues of angels, drapes, and golden decorations, all within the awe-inspiring Gothic setting of the Duomo.

4. A photographer’s dream – From the slow ascent of the Nivola to the golden glow of the reliquary, every detail — light, architecture, symbolism — offered unique opportunities for powerful images.

Unforgettable moments

• The slow ascent of the Nivola, suspended between earth and sky.

• The exposition of the Holy Nail, placed in the radiant cross, a moving highlight of the rite.

• The chants and prayers, merging with the motion of the Nivola, creating a multisensory spiritual experience.

• The light inside the Cathedral, shifting through stained glass and monumental spaces, transforming the ritual into an artistic tableau.

Personal reflection

Experiencing the Rite of the Nivola was both moving and inspiring. Beyond its religious significance, it felt like an invitation to pause and contemplate — a reminder that traditions can still speak powerfully in our fast-paced modern world.

For believers and non-believers alike, this ancient ritual remains a testimony of faith, history, and beauty — a bridge between the sacred and the universal, the spiritual and the artistic

Oggi, 18 giugno 2024, Nikon ha ufficialmente presentato la nuova mirrorless full frame Nikon Z6 III a Milano.

@Emanuele Dello Strologo

Oggi, 18 giugno 2024, Nikon ha ufficialmente presentato la nuova mirrorless full frame Nikon Z6 III Milano e noi c’eravamo.

Questa fotocamera rappresenta un significativo passo avanti rispetto al modello precedente, la Z6 II. Ecco alcune delle caratteristiche principali:

1. Sensore “Partially Stacked”: La Z6 III utilizza un nuovo sensore “partially stacked”, che mantiene la risoluzione di 24,5 megapixel ma offre prestazioni notevolmente migliorate.

2. Raffica a 120 fps: Grazie al processore EXPEED 7, la Z6 III può scattare raffiche a 120 fotogrammi al secondo con autofocus e esposizione automatica attivi. Questo è un miglioramento significativo rispetto ai 14 fps del modello precedente.

3. Video 6K/60p in formato RAW: La fotocamera consente di registrare video in formato 6K a 60 fotogrammi al secondo in RAW e 5,4K a 60 fps in formato compresso YUV. Inoltre, è possibile registrare video 4K UHD a 60p con sovracampionamento 6K su tutta la superficie del sensore.

4. Gamma ISO estesa: La Z6 III offre un intervallo ISO nativo da 100 a 64.000, espandibile fino a 50-204.800 ISO.

5. Stabilizzazione IBIS a 5 assi: Il sensore è stabilizzato con un sistema IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) che offre fino a 8 stop di stabilizzazione. Durante la registrazione video, è possibile aggiungere stabilizzazione elettronica.

6. Mirino DCI-P3 da 4.000 nit: Il mirino offre una luminosità elevata e una resa dei colori accurata.

7. Autofocus avanzato: L’autofocus intelligente basato su algoritmi sviluppati con intelligenza artificiale offre una sensibilità di -10 EV.

@Emanuele Dello Strologo

La presentazione ufficiale si è tenuta a Milano, e la Z6 III sarà disponibile in Italia a partire dal 25 giugno 2024. È già possibile preordinarla sullo store ufficiale Nikon, con una scheda SDXC da 128 GB inclusa nel prezzo.