In 2001 an international architectural design competition was sponsored by BMW AG. Twenty-seven offices participated in the competition four of which were awarded prizes. The jury awarded two offices Sauerbruch Hutton and COOP HIMMELBAU first prize and made the recommendation for the competitors to rework their design submissions in a third design phase in order for BMW to determine which office would be awarded the contract.

The contract was awarded to the Vienna-based architects COOP HIMMELBAU and the facility was constructed from August 2003 through summer 2007 at a cost of US$200 million.Originally conceived to be open and ready for World Cup 2006, it eventually opened on October 17, 2007, and deliveries commenced on October 23, 2007. The first customer to take European delivery of a new BMW at the Welt was Jonathan Spira.[ There were 2,200,000 visitors during the first 12 months of operation. The number of visitors increased to 2,930,000 in 2013, of which 60% came from Germany.

On the top of the Duomo there is the statue of Virgin Mary, named Madonnina; it was raised into the main spire of Milan’s Duomo (its height is 108 meters) and it is an important symbol for the city.

The cathedral is in the center of the city and you cannot go there bycar; there are other solution to reach it using public transport; you can get there by underground (number one-red- or number three-yellow-), by tram/bus using different line.

Duomo is open from 8.00 am to 7.00 pm every day. The Duomo Museum is open from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm every day, except Wednesday. The terrace is open every day from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm. The ticket for the cathedral  is 3.00 euros, for the terrace is9.00 euros on foot or 13.00 euros by lift.

The visitors have to be dressed appropriately and go through police check. Inside the Duomois forbidden to introduce animals,helmets of any type,food, musical instruments; it’ s also forbidden touch and/or damage the arts works and take every kind of photos and videos.